Date：2017-06-29 - 2017-10-08
Location：No. 2 Exhibition Hall

In the study of any culture, a universal conundrum is how to avoid interpreting that culture's history through a narrative of Self and Other, It is hard enough to be objective in telling the history of any one nation, not to speak of that of the whole world. There is hardly a world history not narrated from the perspective of the political interest group the author belongs to. For the same reason, people who are told of their own history tend to believe that the history and culture of other nations must be very different from theirs. In this sense, A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum is a remarkable breakthrough. First of all, it tells a history of all human beings not through words, which can easily tinted by subjective opinions, but through objects created by human beings. By compiling manmade objects spanning most of the continents and a period from 2 million years ago to the present day, the exhibition also breaks through the conventional barrier between subjects of archaeology, history, and art history. Most importantly, it shows how different cultures share similar processes of development in early human history, and how they react to each other after making contact, which challenges our view of “globalization”.
A History of the World in 100 Objects started as a joint project of the British Museum and BBC, comprising a 100-part radio series. A book that accompanied the series was published in 2010. As “a museum of the world for the world”, the British Museum curated an exhibition that shares the same name. The touring exhibition composed of objects from all over the world, has traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Australia. It is now in China, ready to tell the story of human history.
In China’s history of foreign relations, Shanghai has been playing a role that cannot be overlooked. An archaeological discovery in Qinglong Town, Qingpu District has confirmed that the area was once an important trading port during the Tang and Song dynasties. In modern times, Shanghai has consistently been a window for external exchange. Today, it is an economic and cultural metropolis active on the international stage. As a cultural representative of the city, the Shanghai Museum is honored to welcome this exhibition. I would like to express my thanks to the British Museum for loaning the objects, the UK government for funding the project, and all the staff who have worked hard to bring the exhibition to Shanghai.

Inner coffin of Shepenmehyt

Olduvai Handaxe

Olmec Stone Mask

Chinese Ritual Vessel

Oxus Zoroastrian Figures

Statue of Mithras

Arabian Bronze Hand

Goldsborough Hoard

Moche Warrior Pot

Sculpture of Huastec Goddess

Inca Gold Llama

The Lewis Chessmen

Hebrew Astrolabe

Dürer’s Rhinoceros

Kakiemon Elephant

Benin Plaque: The Oba with Europeans

Javanese Shadow Puppet

Sioux Child’s Dress

Early Victorian Tea Set

Revolutionary Plate

【Virtual】 A History of the World in 100 Objects

【Video】 A History of the World in 100 Objects