This Shell Was Worth More Than Gold
The Murex shell belongs to the family Muricidae. Specifically, it includes species such as Bolinus brandaris, Hexaplex trunculus, and Stramonita haemastoma.
Ancient civilizations prized Tyrian purple, derived from Murex snails, as a luxurious dye. Its production began around 1200 BC by the Phoenicians and continued through Greek and Roman times. The dye was highly valued due to its resistance to fading and its association with power and wealth. Items colored with Tyrian purple were considered elite.