A shell mound is an archaeological term that refers to a heap or mound of discarded shells, usually from mollusks, that were used as a primary food source by ancient civilizations. Other synonyms for the term "shell mound" include "shell heap," "shell bank," "shell ridge," and "shell deposit." These different names refer to the same type of archaeological site, where archaeologists can excavate and analyze the shells to gain insight into the dietary habits and social organization of the ancient populations that lived there. Shell mounds are found all over the world and are a valuable source of information for understanding our shared human history.