Why do we create things?
For most of us it is like breathing, it's spontaneous, we can't help it. In an attempt to explain the role of objects in the development of mankind, the BBC and British Museum have come together to produce A History of the World in 100 Objects.

At the heart of the project is the BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 objects. 100 programmes, written and narrated by Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, and focusing on 100 objects from the British Museum’s collection. The series will include additional voices from a range of contributors including Bob Geldof, Wole Soyinka and Grayson Perry.
The programmes will travel through two million years from the earliest object in the collection to retell the history of humanity through the objects we have made. Each week will be tied to a particular theme, such as 'after the ice age' or 'the beginning of science and literature', and the programmes will broadcast in three blocks, in January, May and August.

Deep zoom imagery of all objects on the site lets you see the detail up close while listening to the programme. You can also watch short videos of many of the objects and download podcasts of each programme as it is broadcast.

For more information go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/explorerflash/#