Do you believe in the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Often, a simple image can relay multiple meanings just by looking at it. How about if we are talking about a simple object? Will it be able to retell centuries or decades of history? The concept of A History of the World in 100 Objects is self-explanatory.
The show has given light to one hundred objects from different parts of the world to tell some of the world’s history. Tagged as the best history podcast there is from its time, A History of the World in 100 Objects started in 2010. BBC Radio 4 and the British Museum collaborated on this project to highlight these objects from the museum within 15 minutes.
Neil MacGregor, previous director of the British Museum then, was the narrator and writer for the 20-week series, and it was first launched on the radio. Neil successfully captured the essence of each object from the British Museum and how they have contributed to humanity’s history. Most are fascinated with how they presented this project, even launching a book with the same title. From the Mummy of Hornedjitef to the Solar-powered lamp and charger, the objects emphasized the culture, art, and technology of different parts of the world.
Neil provided well-detailed information about each artifact, providing excellent context on how the artifacts were obtained, their significance, and how these objects helped shape our world today. They made two special radio programs after the completion of the show. The first program gives a special mention to an object chosen by the audience. It was another item that should deserve a highlight on the show. It was a painting of Auschwitz, Poland, by an anonymous Jewish artist during a war. They made a second program ten years later to feature the 101st object. They have given a highlight to the sculpture, ‘Dark Water, Burning World,’ an ode to the Syrian Civil War.
What Is Great About The History Of The World In 100 Objects?
In today’s modern society, where most people are just glued to their phones, museums have been underappreciated. The History Of The World In 100 Objects is an easy-to-listen history podcast where you can satisfy your curiosity about the world around you. The project highlights the beauty of our history and how important museums are in preserving our culture.
At the same time, the well-detailed context and information about each object were interesting and will not overwhelm you. The episodes are stand-alone, and you can listen to them anytime. The 15-minute episodes highlighted the significance of the objects in our history. It is an excellent introduction to the world’s history. One of my favorites would be the Vale of York Hoard. The episode talks about the discovery of Vikings’ treasure in 2007, containing 600 coins with pieces of silver.
They discussed some stereotypes regarding Vikings and talked about what the treasure hoard meant when it comes to trading. Due to this discovery, it was proven that Vikings were able to trade around Europe and some parts of Asia. A simple object I have not seen at all has fascinated me and made me eager to learn more about Vikings again.
What Is Not-So-Good?
Just as much as people love the short features of each episode, some do not. Some people believe that the content could be longer. They think the presentation could have been more impressive, whereas most complain that different interpretations of these objects were insufficient. To each their own, I guess. In my opinion, Neil was able to give these objects enough highlights and context in an introductory way. Although, a deep dive would certainly be something I would love to listen to.
On another note, the British Museum has not strayed away from the controversies. This is due to the United Kingdom’s colonial history and how they acquired some of these objects. There is still criticism and debate regarding the rights of these objects, and it is a sensitive topic.
Overall Thoughts On The History Of The World In 100 Objects Podcast
If you are a history lover and are curious about the world, this great podcast, The History Of The World In 100 Objects, will satisfy your eager mind. At the same time, the show is not overbearing, especially if you want a light podcast. Overall, I love the show and would love to hear more about history and museums. This is a great introduction to the past. It will give you the best glimpse of how much history progressed all over the years.
