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
Chapter 1. Mummy of Hornedjitef
Chapter 2. Olduvai Stone Chopping Tool
Chapter 7. Ain Sakhri Lovers Figurine
Chapter 8. Egyptian Clay Model of Cattle
Chapter 9. Maya Maize God Statue
Chapter 11. King Den’s Sandal Label
Chapter 15. Early Writing Tablet
Chapter 17. Rhind Mathematical Papyrus
Chapter 18. Minoan Bull-leaper
Chapter 20. Statue of Ramesses II
Chapter 23. Chinese Zhou Ritual Vessel
Chapter 25. Gold Coin of Croesus
Chapter 26. Oxus Chariot Model
Chapter 27. Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith
Chapter 28. Basse-Yutz Flagons
Chapter 30. Chinese Bronze Bell
Chapter 31. Coin with Head of Alexander
Chapter 34. Chinese Han Lacquer Cup
Chapter 37. North American Otter Pipe
Chapter 38. Ceremonial Ballgame Belt
Chapter 39. Admonitions Scroll
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
Chapter 46. Gold Coins of Abd al-Malik
Chapter 50. Silk Princess Painting
Chapter 51. Maya Relief of Royal Blood-letting
Chapter 52. Harem Wall-painting Fragments
Chapter 55. Chinese Tang Tomb Figures
Chapter 56. Vale of York Hoard
Chapter 58. Japanese Bronze Mirror
Chapter 59. Borobudur Buddha Head
Chapter 61. The Lewis Chessmen
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
Chapter 71. Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent
Chapter 75. Dürer’s Rhinoceros
Chapter 76. Mechanical Galleon
Chapter 77. Benin Plaque: The Oba with Europeans
Chapter 78. Double-headed Serpent
Chapter 79. Kakiemon Elephants
Chapter 81. Shi’a Religious Parade Standard
Chapter 82. Miniature of a Mughal Prince
Chapter 83. Shadow Puppet of Bima
Chapter 85. Reformation Centenary Broadsheet
Chapter 87. Hawaiian Feather Helmet
Chapter 88. North American Buckskin Map
Chapter 89. Australian Bark Shield
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
Chapter 96. Russian Revolutionary Plate
Chapter 97. Hockney’s In the Dull Village
Chapter 100. Solar-powered Lamp and Charger