Human history is learnt through written records of events, through legends and myths, and oral traditions. It is interpreted through literature and art. It is uncovered through long forgotten relics and artifacts.

A History Of The World In 100 Objects traces history through tangible objects. For this, the author picked 100 special objects. These are all records, inscriptions, statues and other relics preserved in the British Museum.

The British Museum has a vast collection of historical treasures, So, the author was able to pick pieces that represented the legacies of human culture from many parts of the world. The objects described in the book thus provide a global history of the human race. The first section uses around 5 objects to depict more than a million years of human presence on the planet. These include simple stone tools like a hand axe and a chopping tool from over a million years ago, to an Egyptian Mummy.

From the next section onwards, that is, from around 9000 BC, more records in the form of arts and objects become available. So, the author has picked quite a few interesting items to represent the evolution of human history. Objects that represent religion and culture, human relations, trade and economy, science and literature, all find place in this collection.

The collection includes an ancient bird shaped pestle and a Maya maize god, tablets with writing on them and an Indus Valley seal, a mold gold cape and Paracas textile. The book pictures a lovely little gold model of an Oxus chariot from Tajikistan, and a Pillar of Ashoka. It contains the Admonitions Scroll from China laying down the rules of etiquette for ladies, and a ball game belt worn in a Native American sport. It contains representations of a Gandhara Buddha Statue and a gold coin issued by Kumaragupta I.

It includes religious relics like the Icon of the Triumph of Orthodoxy and a Shiva Parvati sculpture. It represents the emergence of global economic powers in the form of a mechanical galleon and pieces of eight.

The modern era is represented by various objects, from a ship’s chronometer and a Victorian tea set, to credit cards and solar powered lamps.

A History Of The World In 100 Objects was a BBC Radio 4 series. This book was published as a companion to the series.

About the Author

Neil MacGregor is the Director of the British Museum. He has also written another book, Shakespeare's Restless World. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1946. He studied modern languages at Oxford and law at Edinburgh University. He also completed a master’s degree in the history of art. For some time, Neil MacGregor taught at the University of Reading. He then became Burlington Magazine’s Editor. He had a highly successful term as the National Gallery’s Director, before he became the Director of the British Museum.