In 2006, a team of researchers from Bangor University in Wales collected a bivalve mollusk from the seabed off the northern coast of Iceland. This mollusk, later named "Ming," was identified as an Arctica islandica, a species known for its exceptionally long lifespan and its ability to record environmental changes over time. The shell was retrieved as part of a scientific effort to study historical ocean conditions, particularly past temperatures and chemical compositions of seawater. At first, scientists estimated Ming's age by counting growth rings in its shell, similar to how tree rings are used to determine a tree's age. These initial estimates suggested the mollusk was between 405 and 410 years old, which was a notable record at the time. However, more precise radiocarbon dating conducted seven years later revealed that Ming was actually about 507 years old, meaning it was born around 1498 or 1499—during the reign of the Ming Dynasty in China. This made it one of the oldest known living organisms at the time of its death. The discovery of Ming's age was treated with caution by researchers, who wanted to ensure the accuracy of such a significant finding. Paul Butler, one of the scientists involved, acknowledged the initial miscalculation and the need for careful verification before publishing the results. The shell of Arctica islandica is particularly valuable because it contains growth rings that record environmental factors such as water temperature, food availability, and changes in marine chemistry. This makes it a key tool for studying long-term climate change. Other clams analyzed in the study were also found to be over 300 years old, contributing to a continuous climate record when combined with data from older shells. Some of the research also involved clams collected during an oceanographic expedition around Iceland in 1868, which are now stored in the museum in Kiel, Germany. These shells, along with Ming, help scientists create a climate record that stretches far beyond the reach of human memory. The Arctica islandica, or northern quahog, is a common species found along the Atlantic coast and is occasionally harvested for food. James Scourse, a marine geologist involved in the research, noted that some of these clams could be several hundred years old without anyone realizing it. The shell of Ming is now on display at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, where it continues to be studied as part of the field of marine sclerochronology. Researchers from Bangor University are still analyzing other century-old shells from the same region, aiming to extend the climate record further by combining data from recent shells with the preserved specimens in the Kiel museum.