A history of the world in 100 objects / Neil Macgregor.

Originally published: London ; New York : Allen Lane, 2010.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1. Making us human: 2,000,000-9000 BC : Mummy of Hornedjitef ; Olduvai stone chopping tool ; Olduvai handaxe ; Swimming reindeer ; Clovis spear point -- Part 2. After the Ice Age: food and sex: 9000-3500 BC : Bird-shaped pestle ; Ain Sakhri lovers figurine ; Egyptian clay model of cattle ; Maya maize god statue ; Jomon pot -- Part 3. The first cities and states: 4000-2000 BC : King Den's sandal label ; Standard of Ur ; Indus seal ; Jade axe ; Early writing tablet -- Part 4. The beginnings of science and literature: 2000-700 BC : Flood tablet ; Rhind mathematical papyrus ; Minoan bull-leaper ; Mold gold cape ; Statue of Ramesses II -- Part 5. Old world, new powers: 1100-300 BC : Lachish reliefs ; Sphinx of Taharqo ; Chinese Zhou ritual vessel ; Paracas textile ; Gold coin of Croesus -- Part 6. The world in the age of Confucius: 500-300 BC : Oxus chariot model ; Parthenon sculpture: Centaur and Lapith ; Basse-Yutz flagons ; Olmec stone mask ; Chinese bronze bell -- Part 7. Empire builders: 300 BC-AD 10 : Coin with head of Alexander ; Pillar of Ashoka ; Rosetta stone ; Chinese Han lacquer cup ; Head of Augustus -- Part 8. Ancient pleasures, modern spice: AD 1-500 : Warren cup ; North American otter pipe ; Ceremonial ballgame belt ; Admonitions scroll ; Hoxne pepper pot -- Part 9. The rise of world faiths: AD 100-600 : Seated Buddha from Gandhara ; Gold coins of Kumaragupta I ; Plate showing Shapur II ; Hinton St. Mary mosaic ; Arabian bronze hand -- Part 10. The silk road and beyond: AD 400-800 : Gold coins of Abd al-Malik ; Sutton Hoo helmet ; Moche warrior pot ; Korean roof tile ; Silk princess painting --

Part 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 -- Part 12. Pilgrims, raiders and traders: AD 800-1300 : Vale of York hoard ; Hedwig glass beaker ; Japanese bronze mirror ; Borobudur Buddha head ; Kilwa pot sherds -- pt. 13. Status symbols: AD 1100-1500 : Lewis chessmen ; Hebrew astrolabe ; Ife head ; The David vases ; Taino ritual seat -- Part 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 -- Part 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 -- Part 16. The first global economy: AD 1450-1650 : Mechanical galleon ; Benin plaque: the Oba with Europeans ; Double-headed serpent ; Kakiemon elephants ; Pieces of eight -- Part 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 -- Part 18. Exploration, exploitation and enlightenment: AD 1680-1820 : Akan drum ; Hawaiian feather helmet ; North American buckskin map ; Australian bark shield ; Jade Bi -- Part 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 -- Part 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.

When did people first start to wear jewelry or play music? When were cows domesticated, and why do we fed their milk to our children? Where were the first cities, and what made them succeed? Who developed math--or invented money? The history of humanity is one of invention and innovation, as we have continually created new things to use, to admire, or leave our mark on the world. In this illustrated work, Neil Macgregor of the British Museum turns to objects that previous civilizations have left behind to paint a portrait of humankind's evolution, focusing on unexpected turning points. Beginning with a chopping tool from the Olduvai Gorge in Africa and ending with a recent innovation that is transforming the way we power our world, Macgregor urges us to see history as a kaleidoscope--shifting, interconnected, and constantly surprising.--Adapted from publisher description.

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.