The exhibition features a shell of a large marine gastropod mollusk that has undergone deliberate processing. The apex and initial whorls of the shell, the strongest part of it, were presumably removed by several consecutive blows. This allowed it to be used for signaling.
Ancient Greeks, renowned seafarers, used shells to signal to ships and during battles. In ancient times, messages transmitted over long distances were primarily of a military nature. They warned of enemy advances and their numbers, requested assistance in battle, and reported victories or defeats. In Greece, messages were typically relayed by messengers. Most often, those were runners — winners or participants in the Olympic Games. Later, riders were used to convey messages, delivering both oral and written communications. These riders then began transferring messages in a relay fashion — from one post to another. Upon reaching the first post, the messenger would change horses and then either continue the journey alone or be replaced by another messenger.
However, the need to transmit messages even faster led to the creation of a new system that utilized fire. Special posts were erected atop high mountains every 20–30 kilometers. Soldiers would light torches on these posts. By agreeing on the meaning of each signal conveyed by the torches, the new type of messengers transmitted messages from one point to another. For example, a signal from Troy would be as follows: to convey the message “we have won”, six torches would be raised three times.
In the 4th century BCE, the hydraulic telegraph was invented by the strategist Aeneas.
Its operation was as follows: identical cylindrical containers filled with water, with clearly marked water levels, were placed at each signaling point. Each container had a small tap at the bottom. The cylinders were approximately 1.5 meters in height and about 50 centimeters in diameter. Inside each vessel, a thin cylindrical cork floated on the water, slightly smaller than the perimeter of the container, with a hole in the center. Vertically in the center of the cork, a wooden cylindrical rod was inserted, with markings made every six centimeters. Messages were written between these markings. For example, “send help”, “we see the enemy from the sea”, “infantry in heavy armor”, and others.
