麻豆约拍

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

Basse Yutz Flagons

Neil MacGregor continues his material history of humanity, with the early Celts.

• 14 mins

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

Olmec Stone Mask

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

• 14 mins

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

Chinese Bronze Bell

Neil Macgregor tells the story of a Chinese bronze bell from the age of Confucius

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Head of Alexander

Neil MacGregor is with the great rulers of the world over 2000 years ago.

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Pillar of Ashoka

Neil MacGregor on the life and legacy of the great Indian ruler Ashoka

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Rosetta Stone

Neil MacGregor with one of the past's most recognisable objects; the Rosetta Stone

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Chinese Han lacquer cup

Neil MacGregor's world history told through objects arrives in Han Dynasty China

• 14 mins

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Head of Augustus

The 2000 year old bronze head of one of the world's most famous rulers - Caesar Augustus

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Warren Cup

Neil MacGregor and a Roman silver cup with the power to shock.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

North American otter pipe

Neil MacGregor and a 2,000-year-old stone pipe from North America.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Ceremonial ballgame belt

Neil MacGregor discovers the oldest ball game on earth.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Admonitions Scroll

Neil MacGregor and an ancient Chinese scroll that rules on how women should behave.

• 14 mins

Ancient Pleasures, Modern Spice (1 - 600 AD)

Hoxne pepper pot

Neil MacGregor uses a silver pepper pot to tell of the Roman spice trade with India.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Seated Buddha from Gandhara

Neil MacGregor with one of world religion's most iconic images - the Buddha.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Gold coin of Kumaragupta I

Neil MacGregor with gold coins from North India.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Silver plate showing Shapur II

Neil MacGregor, with a dramatic image of power and faith from ancient Iran.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Hinton St Mary Mosaic

Neil MacGregor encounters one of the earliest images of Christ.

• 14 mins

The Rise of World Faiths (200 - 600 AD)

Arabian bronze hand

A mysterious bronze hand tells the story of religious belief in Arabia before Islam.

• 14 mins

The Silk Road And Beyond (400 - 700 AD)

Gold Coins of Abd al-Malik

Neil MacGregor with gold coins from Syria and the transformation of the Middle East.

• 14 mins

The Silk Road And Beyond (400 - 700 AD)

Sutton Hoo helmet

Neil MacGregor with one of the most sensational finds from Anglo-Saxon Britain.

• 14 mins

The Silk Road And Beyond (400 - 700 AD)

Moche warrior pot

Neil MacGregor with a warrior figure from a lost people of Peru.

• 14 mins

The Silk Road And Beyond (400 - 700 AD)

Korean roof tile

Neil MacGregor delves into the history of an artefact from Korea.

• 14 mins

The Silk Road And Beyond (400 - 700 AD)

Silk princess painting

Neil MacGregor continues his history of the world with a painting from the Silk Road.

• 14 mins

Inside The Palace: Secrets At Court (700 - 950 AD)

Maya relief of royal blood-letting

Neil Macgregor with a disturbing, bloody image from the ancient Mayan civilisation

• 14 mins

Inside The Palace: Secrets At Court (700 - 950 AD)

Harem wall painting fragments

Neil MacGregor with mysterious faces from the harem in an ancient city north of Baghdad

• 14 mins

Inside The Palace: Secrets At Court (700 - 950 AD)

Lothair Crystal

Neil MacGregor with an engraved crystal and royal intrigue at the heart of Europe

• 14 mins

Inside The Palace: Secrets At Court (700 - 950 AD)

Statue of Tara

Neil MacGregor with a beguiling statue of the Buddhist deity Tara

• 14 mins

Inside The Palace: Secrets At Court (700 - 950 AD)

Chinese Tang tomb figures

Neil MacGregor with a collection of tomb figures from Tang dynasty China

• 14 mins

Pilgrims, Raiders and Traders (900 - 1300 AD)

Vale of York Hoard

Neil Macgregor with a great Viking hoard from the Vale of York.

• 14 mins

Pilgrims, Raiders and Traders (900 - 1300 AD)

Hedwig glass beaker

Neil MacGregor with a glass vessel linked with a saintly miracle worker.

• 14 mins