23.09.2010 09:34

What's on?: A History of the World in 100 Objects

The British Museum, founded in 1753, was the first public museum in the world and displays objects from around the globe. Millions of items are stored and only a selection are on public view, but Neil MacGregor has selected the ones he considers to be the most important to explore two million years of world history.

Each fifteen-minute episode of A History of the World in 100 Objects, a joint venture between the British Museum and the BBC, introduces one artefact from the British Museum collection and Neil MacGregor explains its purpose and significance. There are also short interviews with experts to go more deeply into cultural and contemporary reflections.

From the development of the written language to the introduction of a monetary system; from the first descriptions of romantic love to the representation of religion – each object described has a role in the cultural and social development of the world over the last two million years.

Let’s look at one episode in more detail: Hoa Hakananai, an Easter Island statue, built circa 1000, whose purpose was to bring the faithful in closer contact with their god, was brought to the British Museum in 1869. Neil MacGregor gives the background to the monolith: how it was used; where it stood and how it was made. Steve Hooper, an anthropologist and art historian, then explains the significance of ancestor worship. This is followed by the sculptor Sir Anthony Caro who reflects on the piece, describing it as, ‘the essence of sculpture’.

The 100 BBC episodes are divided into 20 themed weekly sections, with a programme every weekday. The first five programmes were, Five objects which help reveal what makes us human. The 100 episodes have been divided into three; the first 35 episodes were aired at the beginning of the year, the second section in the summer and the third and final part of the series (from episode 71 to 100) begins in September. But don’t worry if you didn’t get the opportunity to hear the first 70 programmes. All of them are available to listen again or to download as podcasts. And if you want to view the objects, you can do this on the A History of the World in 100 Objects website (see below). You can choose how you look at them, too: for example, on a timeline or by location, size, colour or material.

The programme has invited museums around the UK to nominate their own objects and listeners can also suggest things which they think help to explain the history of humanity: a first world war bullet, a Dansette record player and an athletics programme are objects which have already been nominated.

Tune in and listen to the latest episode of A History of the World in 100 Objects and see which artefact is being discussed today. It is broadcast from Monday to Friday at 10.45am and 7.45pm (UK times) or simply click here:

And if you're lucky enough to have a trip to London planned, go to the British Museum, where you can see all 100 objects featured in the programme. Here's their website: