These shells, as asserted by archeologists, were used as money. 

Todor Dimov:
"bracelets made of the shells of Mediterranean Spondylus, from the necropolis at Durankulak (the end of the 6th - the beginning of the 5th millennium B.C.) - late Neolith, culture Hamangia I-III."

"Shell money" being in existence, some people had more of shells, others - less of them, and still others - none at all, as put by Ostap Bender, a pre-Computer-Age character.

What becomes of interest here is the social organization in Lake Town:

- People lived together sharing dwellings partly built of stone.
- They cultivated the land.
- They would hunt.
- They would fish.
- They would breed domestic animals.
- They would engage in trading.
- They used money.
- They worshipped their idols.
- They had a priest.
- They had a temple.
- They began using symbols that were probably the inception of a writing system.
 
More...

Last update on 04-11-2007