A history of the world in 100 objects

MacGregor, Neil 1946- (Author). British Museum. (Added Author). BBC Radio 4. (Added Author).

Summary: Traces the stories of one hundred human innovations to explain their pivotal role in shaping civilization, from weapons and the domestication of cows to currency and music.

Record details

ISBN: 0670022705
ISBN: 9780670022700
Physical Description: xxvi, 707 pages : color illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
print
Edition: 1st American ed.
Publisher: New York : Viking, 2011.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Originally published: London ; New York : Allen Lane, 2010.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 671-678) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	pt. 11. Inside the palace: secrets at court: AD 700-900 : Maya relief of royal blood-letting ; Harem wall-painting fragments ; Lothair crystal ; Statue of Tara ; Chinese Tang tomb figures -- pt. 12. Pilgrims, raiders and traders: AD 800-1300 : Vale of York hoard ; Hedwig beaker ; Japanese bronze mirror ; Borobudur Buddha head ; Kilwa pot sherds -- pt. 13. Status symbols: AD 1100-1500 : The Lewis chessmen ; Hebrew astrolabe ; Ife head ; The David vases ; Taino ritual seat -- pt. 14. Meeting the gods: AD 1200-1500 : Holy Thorn Reliquary ; Icon of the Triumph of Orthodoxy ; Shiva and Parvati sculpture ; Sculpture of Huastec goddess ; Hoa Hakananai'a Easter Island statue -- pt. 15. The threshold of the modern world: AD 1375-1550 : Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent ; Ming banknote ; Inca gold llama ; Jade dragon cup ; Dürer's Rhinoceros -- pt. 16. The first global economy: AD 1450-1650 : Mechanical galleon ; Benin plaque: the Oba with Europeans ; Double-headed serpent ; Kakiemon elephants ; Pieces of eight -- pt. 17. Tolerance and intolerance: AD 1550-1700 : Shi'a religious parade standard ; Miniature of a Mughal prince ; Shadow puppet of Bima ; Mexican codex map ; Reformation centenary broadsheet -- pt. 18. Exploration, exploitation and enlightenment: AD 1680-1820 : Akan drum ; Hawaiian feather helmet ; North American buckskin map ; Australian bark shield ; Jade Bi -- pt. 19. Mass production, mass persuasion: AD 1780-1914 : Ship's chronometer from HMS Beagle ; Early Victorian tea set ; Hokusai's The Great Wave ; Sudanese slit drum ; Suffragette-defaced penny -- pt. 20. The world of our making: AD 1914-2010 : Russian revolutionary plate ; Hockney's In the Dull Village ; Throne of weapons ; Credit card ; Solar-powered lamp and charger.