A History of the World in 100 ObjectsBBC Radio 421 Jan 2010 - 22 Oct 2010

1. Making Us Human (2,000,000 - 9000 BC)Neil MacGregor tells the story of two million years of our development through a hundred objects in the British Museum. We begin with the first that make us human.

1/5. Mummy of Hornedjitef (18 Jan 2010)On Neil's first visit to the British Museum he was intrigued by the Mummy of Hornedjitef.

2/5. Olduvai Stone Chopping Tool (19 Jan 2010)Two million years ago in Tanzania, a chipped stone marked the emergence of modern humans.

3/5. Olduvai Handaxe (20 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor on early humans as they slowly begin to move beyond their African homeland.

4/5. Swimming Reindeer (21 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor on the story of the Swimming Reindeer, a carving dating back 13,000 years.

5/5. Clovis Spear Point (22 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor on a hunting weapon dating from the earliest North American settlement.

********************************************************2. After the Ice Age: Food and Sex (9000 - 3500 BC)Neil MacGregor's story takes him to the end of the Ice Age, as the first farmers created objects to consume new foods, venerate new gods and even take a new look at sex

1/5. Bird-shaped Pestle (25 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor investigates early attempts at cookery.

2/5. Ain Sakri Lovers Figurine (26 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor continues a material history of human society with the story of two lovers.

3/5. Egyptian Clay Model of Cattle(27 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor considers the state of culture in Egypt before the pharaohs.

4/5. Maya Maize God Statue (28 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a Maize God made of stone by the Mayan people.

5/5. Jamon Pot (29 Jan 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a 7,000-year-old Japanese pot and a forgotten people.

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3. The First Cities and States (4000 - 2000 BC)Five objects from the British Museum's collection tell the story of the emergence of the earliest cities in the river valleys of North Africa and Asia.

1/5. King Den's Sandal Label (01 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor investigates a great Pharoah's sandal label.

2/5. Standard of Ur (02 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor describes the discovery of a set of mosaics from the ancient city of Ur.

3/5. Indus Seal (03 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor examines stone stamps from the Indus Valley in modern-day Pakistan.

4/5. Jade Axe (04 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a 6,000-year-old axe found in Kent.

5/5. Early Writing Tablet (05 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor finds the earliest example of writing: a 5,000-year-old tablet about beer.

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4. The Beginning of Science and Literature (1500 - 700 BC)4,000 years ago societies were becoming more sophisticated. Among this week's objects are the earliest examples of literature and science.The Minoans of Crete were more powerful than the mainland and enjoyed a complex and still largely unknown culture. They enjoyed a ritual connection with bulls as well as with a rich bronze making tradition. To consider the Minoans and the role of the bull in myth and legend, Neil introduces us to a small bronze sculpture of a man leaping over a bull, one of the highlights of the British Museum's Minoan collection. He explores the vast network of trade routes in the Mediterranean of the time, encounters an ancient shipwreck and tracks down a modern day bull leaper to try and figure out the attraction.[/img]

1/5. Flood Tablet (8 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor gives an account of a great flood much older than the one told in the Bible.

2/5. Rhind Mathematical Papyrus (9 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor describes man's early calculations on an Egyptian papyrus fragment.

3/5. Minoan Bull Leaper (10 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor's history arrives at a Minoan treasure and a dangerous hobby from 1700 BC.

4/5. Mold Gold Cape (11 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a gold cape found in Wales and made over 3500 years ago.

5/5. Statue of Ramesses II (12 Feb 2010)The world of Egypt as ruled by Ramesses II and told through one of his giant statues.

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5. Old World, New Powers (1100 - 300 BC)From the very first coinage to burial shrouds, Neil MacGregor decodes five objects to reveal the ambition of new regimes across the world.

1/5. Lachish Reliefs (15 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor's world history continues with images of war made over 2,500 years ago.

2/5. Sphinx of Taharqo (16 Feb 2010) How Egypt was conquered by Sudan and how a black sphinx proves it.

3/5. Chinese Zhou Ritual Vessel (17 Feb 2010)A 3,000-year-old Chinese ritual and a bronze burial object.

4/5. Paracas Textile (18 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor considers ancient textiles from Peru.

5/5. Gold Coin of Croesus (19 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor discusses the world's first proper coins that made King Croesus so rich.

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6. The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)2,500 years ago thinkers such as Confucius and Plato were exploring how people should live, but can objects like the Parthenon sculptures or a golden chariot tell us more?

1/5. Oxus Chariot Model (22 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a tiny gold chariot from ancient Persia.

2/5. Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith (23 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor on some of the world's most disputed objects: the Parthenon sculptures.

3/5. Basse Yutz Flagons (24 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor explores the early world of the Celts through two bronze drinking flagons.

4/5. Olmec Stone Mask (25 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a forgotten people of ancient Mexico. 5/5. Chinese Bronze Bell (26 Feb 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a Chinese bronze bell from the age of Confucius.

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7. Empire Builders (300 BC - 1 AD)This week he is with the great rulers of the world around 2,000 years ago.

1/5. Head of Alexander (17 May 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of Alexander the Great through a small silver coin.

2/5. Pillar of Ashoka (18 May 2010)Neil MacGregor on the life and legacy of the great Indian ruler Ashoka.

3/5. Rosetta Stone (19 May 2010)Neil MacGregor with one of the past's most recognisable objects; the Rosetta Stone.

4/5. Chinese Han lacquer cup (20 May 2010)Neil MacGregor on a beautiful lacquer cup and the imperial ambitions of Han Dynasty China.

5/5. Head of Augustus (21 May 2010)The 2,000-year-old bronze head of one of the world's most famous rulers: Caesar Augustus.

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8. Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)Throughout this week Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores the ways in which people sought pleasure around the world 2,000 years ago: from pipe smoking to sex.

1/5. Warren Cup (24 May 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a Roman silver cup with the power to shock.

2/5. North American Otter Pipe (25 May 2010)Neil MacGregor on a 2,000-year-old stone pipe from North America.

3/5. Ceremonial Ballgame Belt (26 May 2010)Neil MacGregor discovers the oldest ball game on earth.

4/5. Admonitions Scroll (27 May 2010)Neil MacGregor examines an ancient Chinese scroll that rules on how women should behave.

5/5. Hoxne Pepper Pot (28 May 2010)Neil MacGregor uses a silver pepper pot to tell of the Roman spice trade with India.

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9. The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores when and how many of the great religious images we are familiar with today came into existence.

1/5. Seated Buddha from Gandhara (31 May 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of one of the world's best known figures, the Buddha.

2/5. Gold Coin of Kumaragupta I (01 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines the rise of religious imagery in India under the Guptas. 3/5. Silver Plate Showing Shapur II (02 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a dramatic image of power and faith from ancient Iran. 4/5. Hinton St Mary Mosaic (03 June 2010)Neil MacGregor encounters one of the earliest images of Christ. 5/5. Arabian Bronze Hand (04 Jun 2010)A mysterious bronze hand helps tell the story of religious belief in Arabia before Islam.

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10. The Silk Road and Beyond (400 - 700 AD)Five objects from the British Museum tell the story of the movement of goods and ideas, along the Silk Road out of China, to Korea and even as far as East Anglia.

1/5. Gold Coins of Abd al-Malik (07 June 2010Two gold coins from Syria which sum up one of history's greatest political upheavals.2/5. Sutton Hoo Helmet (08 June 2010)Neil MacGregor with one of the most sensational finds from Anglo-Saxon Britain.

3/5. Moche Warrior Pot (09 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a pottery warrior figure from a forgotten people in Peru.

4/5. Korean Roof Tile (10 June 2010)Neil MacGregor looks at what was happening in 7th-century Korea.

5/5. Silk Princess Painting (11 June 2010) Neil MacGregor examines a painting from the Silk Road.

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11. Inside The Palace: Secrets At Court (700 - 950 AD)From the inside of a harem to inside a Chinese grave, five objects shed light on the lives of the ruling elites 1200 years ago

1/5. Maya Relief of Royal Blood-Letting (14 June 2010)A disturbing, bloody image from the ancient Mayan civilisation.

2/5. Harem wall painting fragments (15 June 2010)Neil MacGregor on mysterious faces from a harem in an ancient city north of Baghdad.

3/5. Lothair Crystal (16 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines an engraved crystal and royal intrigue at the heart of Europe.

4/5. Statue of Tara (17 June 2010) Neil MacGregor looks at a beguiling statue of the Buddhist deity Tara.

5/5. Chinese Tang tomb figures (18 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a collection of tomb figures from Tang dynasty China.

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12. Pilgrims, Raiders and Traders (900 - 1300 AD)Neil MacGregor uses five objects from the British Museum's collection that show how, even 1,000 years ago, trade, war and religion moved objects freely around the globe.

1/5. Vale of York Hoard (21 June 2010)Neil MacGregor explores a great Viking silver hoard discovered in North Yorkshire.

2/5. Hedwig glass beaker (22 June 2010)Neil MacGregor with a glass vessel linked with a saintly miracle worker.

3/5. Japanese bronze mirror (23 June 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a bronze mirror found in a sacred pond in Japan.

4/5. Borobudur Buddha head (24 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a stone head of the Buddha from Borobudur on the island of Java.

5/5. Kilwa pot sherds (25 June 2010)Neil MacGregor sifts through broken pot fragments from an African beach.

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13. Status Symbols (1200 - 1400 AD)Neil MacGregor explores this period of learning and scientific achievement through magnificent objects which were used by the wealthy to reflect their status.

1/5. Lewis Chessmen (28 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a board game found in the Outer Hebrides.

2/5. Hebrew Astrolabe (29 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines an extraordinary astronomical instrument.

3/5. Ife Head (30 June 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a magnificent brass head from the African city of Ife.

4/5. The David Vases (01 July 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a pair of porcelain vases from Yuan dynasty China.

5/5. Taino Ritual Seat (02 July 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a ritual seat from a lost Caribbean culture.

********************************************************14. Meeting The Gods (1200 - 1400 AD)From Mexico to Easter Island, the followers of many world religions used objects to become closer to their gods. Neil MacGregor finds five such devotional items.

1/5. Holy Thorn Reliquary (05 July 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a reliquary made for a thorn from Christ's crown of thorns.

2/5. Icon of the Triumph of Orthodoxy (06 July 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of a 14th-century icon from the Byzantine Empire.

3/5. Shiva and Parvati Sculpture (07 July 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a stone sculpture of the Hindu deity Shiva and his consort Parvati 4/5. Statue of Huastec Goddess (08 July 2010)Neil MacGregor examines a sculpture of a goddess made by the Huastec people of Mexico.

5/5. Hoa Hakananai'a Easter Island StatueNeil MacGregor discusses one of the extraordinary giant figures from Easter Island.

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15. The Threshold of the Modern World (1375-1550 AD)This week Neil MacGregor is exploring the great empires of the world around 1500 - from the Inca in South America to the Ming in China and the Timurids in the Middle East.

1/5. Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent (13 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with the personal monogram of Suleyman the Magnificent.

2/5. Ming Banknote (14 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with a 14th century bank note - from Ming Dynasty China.

3/5. Inca Gold Llama (15 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with a model of a llama - the animal behind the Inca Empire.

4/5. Jade Dragon Cup (16 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with a jade cup that belonged a great leader of the Timurid Empire.

5/5. Durer's Rhinoceros (17 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor discusses Durer's Rhinoceros.

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16. The First Global Economy (1450 - 1600 AD)Neil MacGregor uses objects from around the world to chart Europe's expanding maritime trade and empires that created the first global economy between 1450 and 1600.

1/5. The mechanical galleon (20 Sept 2010)Neil Macgregor with a clockwork galleon designed for a grand dinner table.

2/5. Benin plaque - the Oba with Europeans (21 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with some of the best examples of African art, the great plaques of Benin.

3/5. Double-headed serpent (22 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with one of the stars of the British Museum - an Aztec serpent.

4/5. Kakiemon elephants (23 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with porcelain white elephants from Japan.

5/5. Pieces of eight (24 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with the first truly global money - silver pieces of eight.

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17. Tolerance and Intolerance (1550 - 1700 AD)Neil MacGregor charts the relationships between faiths across the globe around 400 years ago, looking at objects from India and Central America, Europe and Indonesia.

1/5. The Shi'a religious parade standard (27 Sept 2010)Neil Macgregor with a powerful symbol from Shia Iran.

2/5. Miniature of a Mughal prince (28 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor with a miniature painting from Mughal India.

3/5. Shadow Puppet of Bima (29 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor explores religion and politics in South East Asia - through a shadow puppet 4/5. Mexican codex map (30 Sept 2010)Neil MacGregor explores the Spanish religious conquest of Mexico with a map.

5/5. Reformation centenary broadsheet (01 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with a souvenir of the 100th anniversary of the Protestant reformation.

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18. Exploration, Exploitation and Enlightenment (1680 - 1820 AD)Neil MacGregor goes back to the 18th century to look at the Age of the European Enlightenment, through five objects from different cultures around the world.

1/5. Akan drum (04 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with an African drum taken to America during the slave trade.

2/5. Hawaiian feather helmet (05 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with a feathered helmet given to Captain Cook by Pacific Islanders.

3/5. North American buckskin map (06 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with a buckskin map from North America.

4/5. Australian bark shield (07 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with an aboriginal bark shield brought from Australia by Captain Cook.

5/5. Jade bi (08 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with an object from the 18th century Chinese Enlightenment - a jade ring.

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19. Mass Production, Mass Persuasion (1780 - 1914 AD)Neil MacGregor uses five objects to highlight the shifts in the balance of economic, political and imperial power in the C19th - and the enormous consequences across the rest of the world.

1/5. Ship's chronometer from HMS Beagle (11 Oct 2010) Neil MacGregor with the chronometer that accompanied Darwin to South America.

2/5. Early Victorian tea set (12 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor tells the story of the global trade in tea - with a Victorian tea set.

3/5. Hokusai's The Great Wave (13 Oct 2010) Neil MacGregor with a familiar image - Hokusai's The Great Wave.

4/5. Sudanese slit drum (14 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with a wooden drum from Sudan that Kitchener presented to Queen Victoria.

5/5. Suffragette-defaced penny (15 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with a penny coin defaced by suffragettes with the words "Votes for women".

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20.The World of Our Making (1914 - 2010 AD)Neil MacGregor concludes the series with five objects from the C20th and C21st whose stories explore different aspects of our world from plastics to propaganda, sexual revolutions to war.

1/5. Russian revolutionary plate (18 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor nears the end of his world history - with a Russian revolutionary plate.

2/5. Hockney's In the Dull Village (19 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor considers the state of human rights - with a David Hockney print.

3/5. Throne of Weapons (20 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with an African throne - made from decommissioned guns.

4/5. Credit card (21 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor with a credit card - one that is compliant with Sharia law.

5/5. Solar-powered lamp and charger (22 Oct 2010)Neil MacGregor's last object in his world history - a solar-powered lamp and charger.