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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: The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC): Olmec Stone Mask

Olmec Stone Mask

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

A History of the World in 100 Objects Omnibus

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

Neil MacGregor's global history told through objects arrives in Mexico before the time of the Maya or Aztecs. He tells of a forgotten people, the Olmec and the extraordinary masks.

Neil MacGregor, in his history of mankind as told through objects at the British Museum, selects a miniature mask to tell the story of the Olmec - the mysterious people of ancient Mexico who lived before the time of the Aztecs or Maya. 

As the Parthenon was being created in Greece and the Persians were expanding the world's biggest empire, what was life like for the "mother culture" of Central America? Neil explores the life of the Olmec and visits the remains of one of their greatest legacies. He considers their remarkable skills in mask making with the Olmec specialist Karl Taube and the Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes.

A History of the World in 100 Objects: The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 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.

Can meanings hidden in friezes and flagons tell us as much as the writings of great men?

2,500 years ago thinkers such as Confucius and Plato were exploring how people should live, but can objects like the Parthenon sculptures or a golden chariot tell us more?

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

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

Olmec Stone Mask

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