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The First Cities and States (4000 - 2000 BC)

Jade Axe

Neil MacGregor's global history told through objects - a 6,000-year-old axe found in Kent.

• 14 mins

The First Cities and States (4000 - 2000 BC)

Early Writing Tablet

Neil MacGregor explores early writing through a 5,000-year-old tablet about beer!

• 14 mins

The Beginning of Science and Literature (1500 - 700 BC)

Flood tablet

Neil MacGregor's world history - an account of a great flood much older than the Bible.

• 14 mins

The Beginning of Science and Literature (1500 - 700 BC)

Rhind Mathematical Papyrus

Neil MacGregor describes man's early calculations on an Egyptian papyrus fragment

• 14 mins

The Beginning of Science and Literature (1500 - 700 BC)

Minoan Bull Leaper

Neil MacGregor's history arrives at a Minoan treasure and a dangerous hobby from 1700 BC

• 14 mins

The Beginning of Science and Literature (1500 - 700 BC)

Mold Gold Cape

Neil MacGregor tells the story of a gold cape found in Wales and made over 3500 years ago.

• 14 mins

The Beginning of Science and Literature (1500 - 700 BC)

Statue of Ramesses

The world of Egypt as ruled by Ramesses II and told through one of his giant statues

• 14 mins

Old World, New Powers (1100 - 300 BC)

Lachish Reliefs

Neil MacGregor's world history continues with images of war made over 2500 years ago

• 14 mins

Old World, New Powers (1100 - 300 BC)

Sphinx of Taharqo

Neil MacGregor's history of the world told through objects; a sphinx with a pharaoh's head

• 14 mins

Old World, New Powers (1100 - 300 BC)

Chinese Zhou Ritual Vessel

Neil MacGregor's world history told through objects arrives in China 3000 years ago

• 14 mins

Old World, New Powers (1100 - 300 BC)

Paracas Textile Fragment

Neil MacGregor's world history through objects. Today: ancient textiles from Peru

• 14 mins

Old World, New Powers (1100 - 300 BC)

Gold Coin of Croesus

Neil MacGregor's retelling of history through objects - gold coins of Croesus

• 14 mins

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

Oxus Chariot Model

Neil MacGregor tells the story of a tiny gold chariot from ancient Persia.

• 14 mins

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur + Lapith

Neil MacGregor with some of the world's most disputed objects - the Parthenon sculptures

• 14 mins

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

Basse Yutz Flagons

Neil MacGregor continues his material history of humanity, with the early Celts.

• 14 mins

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

Olmec Stone Mask

Neil MacGregor's history of the world tells of a forgotten people of ancient Mexico.

• 14 mins

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

Chinese Bronze Bell

Neil Macgregor tells the story of a Chinese bronze bell from the age of Confucius

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Head of Alexander

Neil MacGregor is with the great rulers of the world over 2000 years ago.

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Pillar of Ashoka

Neil MacGregor on the life and legacy of the great Indian ruler Ashoka

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Rosetta Stone

Neil MacGregor with one of the past's most recognisable objects; the Rosetta Stone

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Chinese Han lacquer cup

Neil MacGregor's world history told through objects arrives in Han Dynasty China

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Head of Augustus

The 2000 year old bronze head of one of the world's most famous rulers - Caesar Augustus

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Warren Cup

Neil MacGregor and a Roman silver cup with the power to shock.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

North American otter pipe

Neil MacGregor and a 2,000-year-old stone pipe from North America.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Ceremonial ballgame belt

Neil MacGregor discovers the oldest ball game on earth.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Admonitions Scroll

Neil MacGregor and an ancient Chinese scroll that rules on how women should behave.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Hoxne pepper pot

Neil MacGregor uses a silver pepper pot to tell of the Roman spice trade with India.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Seated Buddha from Gandhara

Neil MacGregor with one of world religion's most iconic images - the Buddha.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Gold coin of Kumaragupta I

Neil MacGregor with gold coins from North India.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Silver plate showing Shapur II

Neil MacGregor, with a dramatic image of power and faith from ancient Iran.

• 14 mins