Zayed National Museum announces A History of the World in 100 Objects
The Zayed National Museum presents A History of the World in 100 Objects an exhibition on view 23 April–1 August 2014.

Treasures of the Worlds Cultures, Manarat Al Saadiyat. Courtesy of Daniel Spousa.
The first time the popular BBC series has been shown as an exhibition, A History of the World in 100 Objects features personal objects, such as the Chinese Jade Hair Ornament (dated c.3500 BCE), whilst also showcasing other objects that were made for whole communities to use, including the Bird-shaped Pestle from Papua New Guinea (dated 6000–2000 BCE). Objects such as the Hebrew Astrolabe (dated 1345–1355 CE) from Spain, were designed to advance human understanding of the world around us, whilst others represent the surviving relics of lost civilisations, such as the Mexican Huastec Sculpture (900–1521 CE). Allowing visitors to travel back in time and across the globe, people can explore how humans have shaped the world, and been shaped by it.
In line with some of the themes that will define Zayed National Museum, such as faith and Islam, people and heritage, and science and learning, this exhibition will help visitors discover more about humanity and the progress of human life.
The exhibition also explores several important objects from the Middle East and the UAE; elements from cattle farming in Northern Iraq in 5600–5200 BCE, an object from the famous Ancient Middle Eastern city of Ur; another that demonstrates the spread of Islam in the 7th Century and finally a modern foot-controlled car invented by Emirati students that changed lives of disabled drivers.
Running alongside the exhibition will be a full public program of workshops, tours and seminars including an opening panel titled “Unlocking Objects” with Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum on 22 April at 6:30pm.
Manarat Al Saadiyat
Saadiyat Island
United Arab Emirates