The Power of Objects: The British Museum/BBC partnership for A History of the World With Frances Carey of the British Museum

“People have realized that objects do not just provide a stage setting to human action: they are integral to it…The central idea is that as people and objects gather time, movement and change, they are constantly transformed, and these transformations of person and object are tied up with each other.”

A History of the World was a unique partnership in 2010 between the British Museum, the BBC and museums across the UK to tell history through man-made objects. Every part of the British Museum, every part of the BBC’s network, more than 500 museums around the UK and the public everywhere were involved, all coming together in this multi-platform project to demonstrate:

• The importance of object-based inquiry and the power of objects to engage public interest
• The interconnections between local, regional and global history
• The value of a nationwide brand and campaign which empowers local ownership
• The potential for public engagement through partnership between museums and broadcast and web-based media

For more information visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/programme/

Image: Maker Unknown, Clovis Projectile Point, circa 13,650 – 12,8000 BP, Alibates agate, 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm), Courtesy of the Blackwater Draw Collection, Eastern New Mexico University (LA3324.24152)