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Pilgrims, Raiders and Traders (AD 800 - 1300)

Neil MacGregor continues his global history as told through objects. This week: the traders, pilgrims and raiders who swept across Europe and Asia in the 9th - 13th centuries.

Neil MacGregor, the director of the British Museum in London, continues his global history as told through objects that history has left behind.

This week Neil has chosen objects that bring to life the traders, pilgrims and raiders who swept across the vast expanse of Europe and Asia between the 9th and 13th centuries.

His quest takes him to a glass beaker that is believed to turn water into wine and a thorn said to be from Christ's crown of thorns, but he begins with a great Viking treasure hoard that was discovered by metal detectors in a field in North Yorkshire in Britain.

Producers: Paul Kobrak and Anthony Denselow.

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57 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Aug 2010 21:00
  • Sun 12 Feb 2012 17:00
  • Fri 25 Jun 2021 21:00