**1. A History of the World in 100 Objects** *A BBC Radio 4 series by Neil MacGregor* **2. The British Museum, London** *This programme was devised by Neil MacGregor and produced by the BBC and the British Museum.* **3. Foreword** *This book is the story of our world as told by its objects. Each of us has in his or her home objects that are precious, that carry stories, and that connect us to families and to generations past. The British Museum is a vast repository of such objects, spanning continents and millennia, telling the stories of human ingenuity and of the complex societies it has produced. In this ambitious series, Neil MacGregor has chosen 100 of these objects and woven them into a sweeping narrative of human history.* *This book is a companion to the BBC Radio 4 series, but it stands alone as a remarkable and engaging account of our shared human past. It is a testament to the power of objects to unlock stories and to connect us with the lives of those who have gone before. It is a book to be savoured, to be dipped into, and to be returned to again and again.* *Neil MacGregor’s narrative is always accessible, insightful and, crucially, always surprising. He shows us that the stories these objects tell are not simply about distant peoples and ancient times, but also about ourselves and our own lives today. This is a book that will delight and inform anyone interested in history, art, or the human condition.* *I am immensely proud that the British Museum has been able to support Neil MacGregor in this project, and I hope that it will inspire a new generation of visitors to discover the wonders of our collections.* *Tony Hall* *Director, BBC* *Neil MacGregor* *Director, The British Museum* **4. Introduction** *In this book, I have tried to tell the story of our world through 100 objects from the British Museum. Each object is a small piece of our shared human past, a fragment of a story that connects us to those who have gone before. The objects I have chosen range from a prehistoric stone tool to a twenty-first-century cell phone, from a humble clay pot to an intricate gold necklace. They come from all over the world, from every continent, and from every period of human history.* *I believe that objects have a unique power to tell stories. They are tangible witnesses to the past, and they can speak to us in ways that words alone cannot. When we hold an object in our hands, we are connecting with the hands that made it, and with the lives of the people who used it. We are stepping back in time, and we are gaining a new perspective on our own lives.* *This book is not intended to be a definitive history of the world. There are many stories that I have not been able to tell, and many objects that I have not been able to include. But I hope that this book will give you a sense of the vastness and complexity of human history, and that it will inspire you to explore the world of objects for yourself.* *I have tried to make this book accessible to a wide audience, and I have avoided jargon and technical terms. I hope that it will be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.* *I would like to thank the BBC for their support, and especially my colleagues at the British Museum who have helped me in so many ways. I would also like to thank my family for their patience and encouragement.* *Neil MacGregor* *Director, The British Museum*