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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Factual: History

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, retells humanity's history through objects

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, narrates 100 programmes that retell humanity's history through the objects we have made.

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A History of the World in 100 Objects: After the Ice Age: Food and Sex (9000 - 3500 BC): Maya Maize God Statue

Maya Maize God Statue

After the Ice Age: Food and Sex (9000 - 3500 BC)

A History of the World in 100 Objects Omnibus

BBC Radio 4 - A History of the World in 100 Objects, After the Ice Age: Food and Sex (9000 - 3500 BC), Maya Maize God Statue

Neil MacGregor discovers how the early Mayans of Central America created a god out of food

In a week that observes the emergence of agriculture at the end of the Ice Age, Neil MacGregor tells of a Maize God made of stone by the Mayan people of modern-day Honduras

This week Neil MacGregor is exploring the growing importance of agriculture around the world at the end of the Ice Age, with objects that show and celebrate the key elements of the time; power, sex, worship and food. Today the series focuses on the world of the Mayan civilisation and a stone Maize God, discovered on the site of a major Mayan city in present-day Honduras. This large statue is wearing a headdress in the shape of a giant corn cob. 

Maize was not only worshipped at that time but the Maya also believed that all their ancestors were descended from maize. Neil MacGregor reveals why maize, which is notoriously difficult to refine for human consumption, becomes so important to the emerging agriculture of the region.  

Neil is joined by the anthropologist Professor John Staller and the restaurateur Santiago Calva who explain the complexity of Mayan mythological belief and the ongoing power of maize in Central America today

A History of the World in 100 Objects: After the Ice Age: Food and Sex (9000 - 3500 BC)

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Why did farming start at the end of the Ice Age? Clues remain in objects left behind

Neil MacGregor's story takes him to the end of the Ice Age, as the first farmers created objects to consume new foods, venerate new gods and even take a new look at sex

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

After the Ice Age: Food and Sex (9000 - 3500 BC)

Maya Maize God Statue

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