A History of the World in 100 Objects

Broadsheet depicting the Reformation of the Christian Church. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, examines a broadsheet souvenir, commissioned in Saxony in 1617 to raise morale on the centenary of the Protestant Reformation. With contributions from the satirist Ian Hislop and the historian of religion Karen Armstrong.

Map showing details of the foundation of two towns in Mexico. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, examines an old map, or codex, that illustrates Spain's zeal for building churches after conquering Mexico in the 16th century. He looks at how Catholicism was assimilated alongside older pagan beliefs, with contributions from the historians Samuel Edgerton and Fernando Cervantes.

Puppet from the Indonesian island of Java. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores the relationship between religion and society in South East Asia 400 years ago by examining a shadow puppet from Java. He talks to a Javanese puppet master while the Malaysian novelist Tash Aw discusses the influence of shadow theatre today.

Miniature showing encounter between an Indian Mughal prince and a holy man. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, looks at a 17th-century miniature and uses it to explore the religious tolerance encouraged by the rulers of India's Mughal empire. With the help of the historian Aman Nath, he looks at encounters between holy men and men of political power throughout Indian history.

Religious parade standard from Iran. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores the development of faiths about 400 years ago, beginning with a standard from Iran that was carried at the front of processions as a symbol of the country's Shia faith. He also visits religious sites to reflect on the spiritual climate of the time. With contributions by Hossein Pourtahmasbi and Haleh Afshar.

15th Century silver coins. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, examines pieces of eight - rough silver coins that were to become an international currency as Spain's trade with the world grew in the 15th and 16th centuries. He describes Spain's dominance in South America and the discovery of a silver mountain in Potosi in present day Bolivia. With a contribution by historian William Bernstein.

A pair of Japanese porcelain elephants. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum looks at how the skill of porcelain production spread across the Far East. Kakiemon, named after a Japanese potter, was much desired by the European elite.

Turquoise ornament shaped as a serpent. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, describes the Aztecs, who created this double-headed serpent from tiny pieces of turquoise, and the Spanish conquest of their culture. Aztec specialist Adriane Diaz Enciso discusses the role of the snake in Aztec religion.

Plaque showing aspects of Benin court life. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, examines some of Africa's most famous artworks, the Benin Plaques, and the effect these brass portraits first had when they arrived in London at the end of the 19th century. With contributions by Sokari Douglas Camp and Wole Soyinka on the art and heritage of Benin.

A small automaton, shaped like a galleon. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores the impact of travel, trade and conquest in Western Europe between 1450 and 1600. This object shaped like the galleon the Spanish sent against England in the Armada, was made for a grand dinner table, it could move, make music, tell the time and fire tiny cannons.

Albrecht Durer's famous engraving of an Indian rhino. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, tells the story of one of the most enduring objects in art history, and one of the most duplicated: Durer's image of a rhino - an animal which the artist had never seen. The rhino was brought to Portugal in 1514 and Neil uses this classic image to examine European ambitions at the time.

Jade cup that belonged to one of the great leaders of the Timurid Empire. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, tells the story of a cup once owned by Ulugh Beg, who built the great observatory in Samakand and has a crater on the moon named after him. Neil explores the story of the Timurids in Central Asia and the influences that spread along the Silk Road at this time.

A simple, gold sculpture of a llama. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum examines the animal that helped fuel the success of the great Inca Empire, which ruled over some 12 million people along the Pacific West Coast of America. He tells the story of the Inca, their culture and religion, as well as what happened to them when the Spanish arrived.

A surviving example of one of the world's first paper banknotes - much bigger than the notes of today and dated 1375. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explains how paper money comes about. While the rest of the world was happily trading in coins that had an actual value in silver or gold, why did the Chinese risk the use of paper?

Personal signature of the great Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum examines this monogram which is the ultimate expression of Suleiman's authority at this time - a stamp of state and delicate artwork rolled into one. The Turkish novelist Elif Shafak and the historian Caroline Finkel explore the power and meaning of this object.