Common section

A history of the world in 100 objects

A history of the world in 100 objects

Neil MacGregor's A History of the World in 100 Objects takes a bold, original approach to human history, exploring past civilizations through the objects that defined them. Encompassing a grand sweep of human history, A History of the World in 100 Objects begins with one of the earliest surviving objects made by human hands, a chopping tool from the Olduvai gorge in Africa, and ends with objects which characterise the world we live in today. Seen through MacGregor's eyes, history is a kaleidoscope - shifting, interconnected, constantly surprising, and shaping our world today in ways that most of us have never imagined. A stone pillar tells us about a great Indian emperor preaching tolerance to his people; Spanish pieces of eight tell us about the beginning of a global currency; and an early Victorian tea-set speaks to us about the impact of empire. An intellectual and visual feast, this is one of the most engrossing and unusual history books published in years.

Introduction: Signals from the Past

PART ONE - Making us Human 2,000,000–9000 BC

Chapter 1. Mummy of Hornedjitef

Chapter 2. Olduvai Stone Chopping Tool

Chapter 3. Olduvai Handaxe

Chapter 4. Swimming Reindeer

Chapter 5. Clovis Spear Point

PART TWO - After the Ice Age: Food and Sex 9000–3500 BC

Chapter 6. Bird-shaped Pestle

Chapter 7. Ain Sakhri Lovers Figurine

Chapter 8. Egyptian Clay Model of Cattle

Chapter 9. Maya Maize God Statue

Chapter 10. Jomon Pot

PART THREE - The First Cities and States 4000–2000 BC

Chapter 11. King Den’s Sandal Label

Chapter 12. Standard of Ur

Chapter 13. Indus Seal

Chapter 14. Jade Axe

Chapter 15. Early Writing Tablet

PART FOUR - The Beginnings of Science and Literature 2000–700 BC

Chapter 16. Flood Tablet

Chapter 17. Rhind Mathematical Papyrus

Chapter 18. Minoan Bull-leaper

Chapter 19. Mold Gold Cape

Chapter 20. Statue of Ramesses II

PART FIVE - Old World, New Powers 1100–300 BC

Chapter 21. Lachish Reliefs

Chapter 22. Sphinx of Taharqo

Chapter 23. Chinese Zhou Ritual Vessel

Chapter 24. Paracas Textile

Chapter 25. Gold Coin of Croesus

PART SIX - The World in the Age of Confucius 500–300 BC

Chapter 26. Oxus Chariot Model

Chapter 27. Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith

Chapter 28. Basse-Yutz Flagons

Chapter 29. Olmec Stone Mask

Chapter 30. Chinese Bronze Bell

PART SEVEN - Empire Builders 300 BC–AD 10

Chapter 31. Coin with Head of Alexander

Chapter 32. Pillar of Ashoka

Chapter 33. Rosetta Stone

Chapter 34. Chinese Han Lacquer Cup

Chapter 35. Head of Augustus

PART EIGHT - Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice AD 1–500

Chapter 36. Warren Cup

Chapter 37. North American Otter Pipe

Chapter 38. Ceremonial Ballgame Belt

Chapter 39. Admonitions Scroll

Chapter 40. Hoxne Pepper Pot

PART NINE - The Rise of World Faiths AD 100–600

Chapter 41. Seated Buddha from Gandhara

Chapter 42. Gold Coins of Kumaragupta I

Chapter 43. Plate showing Shapur II

Chapter 44. Hinton St Mary Mosaic

Chapter 45. Arabian Bronze Hand

PART TEN - The Silk Road and Beyond AD 400–800

Chapter 46. Gold Coins of Abd al-Malik

Chapter 47. Sutton Hoo Helmet

Chapter 48. Moche Warrior Pot

Chapter 49. Korean Roof Tile

Chapter 50. Silk Princess Painting

PART ELEVEN - Inside the Palace: Secrets at Court AD 700–900

Chapter 51. Maya Relief of Royal Blood-letting

Chapter 52. Harem Wall-painting Fragments

Chapter 53. Lothair Crystal

Chapter 54. Statue of Tara

Chapter 55. Chinese Tang Tomb Figures

PART TWELVE - Pilgrims, Raiders and Traders AD 800–1300

Chapter 56. Vale of York Hoard

Chapter 57. Hedwig Beaker

Chapter 58. Japanese Bronze Mirror

Chapter 59. Borobudur Buddha Head

Chapter 60. Kilwa Pot Sherds

PART THIRTEEN - Status Symbols AD 1100–1500

Chapter 61. The Lewis Chessmen

Chapter 62. Hebrew Astrolabe

Chapter 63. Ife Head

Chapter 64. The David Vases

Chapter 65. Taino Ritual Seat

PART FOURTEEN - Meeting the Gods AD 1200–1500

Chapter 66. Holy Thorn Reliquary

Chapter 67. Icon of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

Chapter 68. Shiva and Parvati Sculpture

Chapter 69. Sculpture of Huastec Goddess

Chapter 70. Hoa Hakananai’a Easter Island Statue

PART FIFTEEN - The Threshold of the Modern World AD 1375–1550

Chapter 71. Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent

Chapter 72. Ming Banknote

Chapter 73. Inca Gold Llama

Chapter 74. Jade Dragon Cup

Chapter 75. Dürer’s Rhinoceros

PART SIXTEEN - The First Global Economy AD 1450–1650

Chapter 76. Mechanical Galleon

Chapter 77. Benin Plaque: The Oba with Europeans

Chapter 78. Double-headed Serpent

Chapter 79. Kakiemon Elephants

Chapter 80. Pieces of Eight

PART SEVENTEEN - Tolerance and Intolerance AD 1550–1700

Chapter 81. Shi’a Religious Parade Standard

Chapter 82. Miniature of a Mughal Prince

Chapter 83. Shadow Puppet of Bima

Chapter 84. Mexican Codex Map

Chapter 85. Reformation Centenary Broadsheet

PART EIGHTEEN - Exploration, Exploitation and Enlightenment AD 1680–1820

Chapter 86. Akan Drum

Chapter 87. Hawaiian Feather Helmet

Chapter 88. North American Buckskin Map

Chapter 89. Australian Bark Shield

Chapter 90. Jade Bi

PART NINETEEN - Mass Production, Mass Persuasion AD 1780–1914

Chapter 91. Ship’s Chronometer from HMS Beagle

Chapter 92. Early Victorian Tea Set

Chapter 93. Hokusai’s The Great Wave

Chapter 94. Sudanese Slit Drum

Chapter 95. Suffragette-defaced Penny

PART TWENTY - The World of our Making AD 1914–2010

Chapter 96. Russian Revolutionary Plate

Chapter 97. Hockney’s In the Dull Village

Chapter 98. Throne of Weapons

Chapter 99. Credit Card

Chapter 100. Solar-powered Lamp and Charger

Maps

Bibliography

If you find an error or have any questions, please email us at admin@erenow.org. Thank you!