A History of the World in 100 Objects

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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: Exploration, Exploitation and Enlightenment (AD 1680-1820): Jade bi

Jade bi

Exploration, Exploitation and Enlightenment (AD 1680-1820)

A History of the World in 100 Objects Omnibus

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Neil MacGregor with an object from the 18th-century Chinese Enlightenment - a jade disc

Neil MacGregor is looking at the world of discovery in the 18th century. Today he tells the story of a Chinese Emperor's exploration of the past through a jade disc.

Neil MacGregor's world history told through the things that time has left behind. Throughout this week, Neil has been looking at Europe's discoveries around the world and its engagement with different cultures during the 18th century - the European Enlightenment project. 

Today he describes what was happening in China during this period, as the country was experiencing its own Enlightenment under the Qianlong Emperor. He tells the story through a jade disc (called a Bi) that was probably made around 1500 BC and then written over by the Emperor himself. What does this prehistoric piece of jade tell us about life in 18th century China and how they explored their past? The historian Jonathan Spence and the poet Yang Lian find meaning in this intriguing object.

Producer: Anthony Denselow


A History of the World in 100 Objects: Exploration, Exploitation and Enlightenment (AD 1680-1820)

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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.

Neil MacGregor on the misunderstandings that can happen when different worlds collide.

Neil MacGregor goes back to the 18th century to look at the Age of the European Enlightenment, through five objects from different cultures around the world.

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Exploration, Exploitation and Enlightenment (AD 1680-1820)

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