ProMare has started an exciting new digitisation project at The Box Museum in Plymouth. We are currently 3D scanning sea shells from the collection, including specimens from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) and from Nancy Astor’s personal and significant shell collection.
Nancy Astor, the first female Member of Parliament and a prominent figure in Plymouth’s history, had a deep appreciation for natural history that reflects the city’s enduring maritime heritage. Her collection complements specimens from the MBA, which has long been at the forefront of marine research in Plymouth. This connection underscores the city’s historical and scientific ties to the sea, and this project aims to preserve and celebrate that legacy, offering new ways for the public to engage with Plymouth’s rich coastal history.
Click below for 3D scans and more information.
Spiny Cockle
Greenlip Abalone
Great Scallop
Common Spider Conch
European Flat Oyster
Norwegian Sea Snail
Spiral Babylon
Tiger Cowrie
Pacific Common Olive
Common Whelk
Rare-Spined Murex
Pismo Clam
Giant Triton (Female)
Giant Triton (Male)
Common Periwinkle
Sea Potato
Cross-Cut Carpet Shell
Pelican's Foot Shell
Tulip Snail
Dog Cockle
Common Whelk
Spindle Shell
Egg Capsule - Norwegian Sea Snail
Common Whelk
European Sting Winkle
Norwegian Egg Cockle
Garden Snail (St Ives)
Lined Top Shell
Saddle Oyster
Blue Mussel
Pacific Asaphis
Tiger-Striped Nautilus
Great Pond Snail
Large Necklace Shell
Spiny Cockle (Half)
River Snail
Red Helmet Shell
Giant West African Land Snail
Elongated Mussel
Common Whelk
Large Harp
Common Slipper Limpet
Cone Sea Snail
True Whelk
Garden Snail (Plymouth Hoe)
Common Piddock
Common Whelk
Tiger-Striped Nautilus (Half)
Red Whelk
Roman Snail
Noble Pen Shell
Tower Shell
Common Slipper Limpet
Common Whelk
Common Otter Shell
Dog Whelk
Warty Venus
Banded Venus
Sea Potato
Lined Top Shell
Azorean Limpet
Netted Dog Whelk
Great Ramshorn
Egg Specimens
Egg Specimens
Whiskered Tern - Egg
Sooty Tern - Egg
Common Crane - Egg
Common Gull - Egg
Cormorant - Egg
Gannet - Egg
Slender Billed Gull - Egg
Glaucous Gull - Egg
Shag - Egg
Help Us Identify These Shells!
Help Us Identify These Shells!
Unidentified 1
Unidentified 4
Unidentified 2
Unidentified 5
Unidentified 3