Contents
Preface : Mission Impossible xiii
Introduction : Signals from the past xv
pt. 1. Making us human : 2,000,000-9000 BC. 3-22
Mummy of Hornedjitef
Olduvai stone chopping tool
Olduvai handaxe
Swimming reindeer
Clovis spear point
pt. 2. After the Ice Age: food and sex: 9000-3500 BC. 29-49
Bird-shaped pestle
Ain Sakhri lovers figurine
Egyptian clay model of cattle
Maya maize god statue
Jomon pot
pt. 3. The first cities and states: 4000-2000 BC. 57-76
King Den's sandal label
Standard of Ur
Indus seal
Jade axe
Early writing tablet
pt. 4. The beginnings of science and literature: 2000-700 BC. 83-105
Flood tablet
Rhind mathematical papyrus
Minoan bull-leaper
Mold gold cape
Statue of Ramesses II
pt. 5. Old World, new powers : 1100-300 BC. 113-133
Lachish reliefs
Sphinx of Taharqo
Chinese Zhou ritual vessel
Paracas textile
Gold coin of Croesus
pt. 6. The world in the age of Confucius : 500-300 BC. 139-160
Oxus chariot model
Parthenon sculpture : Centaur and Lapith
Basse-Yutz flagons
Olmec stone mask
Chinese bronze bell
pt. 7. Empire builders : 300 BC-AD 10. 167-187
Coin with head of Alexander
Pillar of Ashoka
Rosetta Stone
Chinese Han lacquer cup
Head of Augustus
pt. 8. Ancient pleasures, modern spice : AD 1-500. 195-215
Warren Cup
North American otter pipe
Ceremonial ballgame belt
Admonitions scroll
Hoxne pepper pot
pt. 9. The rise of world faiths AD 100-600 223-243
Seated Buddha from Gandhara
Gold coins of Kumaragupta I
Silver plate showing Shapur II
Hinton St. Mary mosaic
Arabian bronze head
pt. 10. The Silk Road and beyond : AD 400-800. 251-271
Gold coins of Abd al-Malik
Sutton Hoo helmet
Moche warrior pot
Korean roof tile
Silk princess painting
pt. 11. Inside the palace : secrets at court : AD 700-900 279-299
Maya relief of royal blood-letting
Harem wall-painting fragments
Lothair crystal
Statue of Tara
Chinese Tang tomb figures
pt. 12. Pilgrims, raiders and traders : AD 800-1300 307-327
Vale of York hoard
Hedwig glass beaker
Japanese bronze mirror
Borobudur Buddha head
Kilwa pot sherds
pt. 13. Status symbols : AD 1100-1500 335-355
Lewis chessmen
Hebrew astrolabe
Ife head
The David vases
Taino ritual seat
pt. 14. Meeting the gods : AD 1200-1500 363-383
Holy Thorn reliquary
Icon of the triumph of orthodoxy
Shiva and Parvati sculpture
Sculpture of Huastec goddess
Hoa Hakananai'a Easter Island statue
pt. 15. The threshold of the modern world : AD 1375-1550 391-412
Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent
Ming banknote
Inca gold llama
Jade dragon cup
Durer's Rhinoceros
pt. 16. The first global economy : AD 1450-1650 419-439
Mechanical galleon
Benin plaque : the Oba with Europeans
Double-headed serpent
Kakiemon elephants
Pieces of eight
pt. 17. Tolerance and intolerance : AD 1550-1700 447-467
Shi'a religious parade standard
Miniature of a Mughal prince
Shadow puppet of Burma
Mexican codex map
Reformation centenary broadsheet
pt. 18. Exploration, exploitation and enlightenment : AD 1680-1820 475-495
Akan drum
Hawaiian feather helmet
North American buckskin map
Australian bark shield
Jade bi
pt. 19. Mass production, mass persuasion : AD 1780-1914 503-524
Ship's chronometer from HMS Beagle
Early Victorian tea set
Hokusai's The great wave
Sudanese slit drum
Suffragette-defaced penny
pt. 20. The world of our making : AD 1914-2010 531-552
Russian revolutionary plate
Hockney's In the dull village
Throne of weapons
Credit card
Solar-powered lamp and charger
Maps 559
List of Objects 568
Bibliography 571
References 580
Text Acknowledgements 584
Acknowledgements 585
Index 587