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That's a very interesting idea to show history through objects. Especially concerning those pre-historic times, because we have nothing but objects and fossils left. Look forward to seeing first episods. Hope "World History" will be available to world audience and not to the UK citizens.
Dmitry (from Russia)

I have never seen so many spelling mistakes as appear under the listing for the "Jagaur E Type" (Sic). Shameful.

What a pleasure it is to hear the erudition and enthusiasm of Neil MacGregor BUT this morning's programme on the Olduvai tool was blighted by unnecessary and inappropriate music and other sound effects. What we want to hear is Neil, and other experts, talking and enthusing - not a theatrical production. Why should he have to talk through music and other noises - they add nothing, and on the contrary detract from the real content of this otherwise excellent programme. Are we expected to believe that the fluting and singing in today's programme were actually going on in Olduvai 2m years ago? Surely not as they are competely anachronistic. I have been very much looking forward to this series but now find it very to listen. I'd like to hear the producers explain these unnecesary extras.

Fantastic project. One quick question: is there going to be a podcast?

We the moderators at congratulate you on this wonderful project for all ages, colours & creeds, something people worldwide can share in and learn from. We watched the television introduction last night and three of us chase the same the same answer as David Attenborough : ) (silicon chip) Look forward to participating.

Congratulations on a fascinating approach to human history.
Puzzled by the title however- "History of the World"; the World is roughly 4,500 million years old, but the oldest object featured is a mere 2 million years old. Analogous to discussing only the last 1-2 seconds in a an analysis of a Beethoven symphony.
Similarly, are we really sure that man is so unique ? A variety of animals have been shown to use tools, engage in creative and decorative activity, use language, and have complex social structures. How long would it have taken for these characteristics to have evolved to human level in another species, if we had not got there first ?

Thank you for bringing us such an interesting, intelligent and enlightening series. I look forward to the remaining 98 objects with great interest. Radio is so much better than TV - the emphasis is on the content rather than photogenic presenters and oft repeated 're-enactments'.

An interesting project and maybe it goes some way to making accessible the super-abundance of artifacts in the BM. However, I would be pleased if objects in the BM could be returned to the area from which they came. My particular irritation is that Lindow Man was removed from Manchester Museum, and thus its geographical context, to the detriment of local history and culture. I understand the need for representative collections but the impoverishment of regional museums is inexcusable.

The episodes,(2and3)that focused on early tools, suffered from vagueness about what is meant by 'human'. The Olduvai 'chopping tool'(2)was fashioned by a hominid (presumably that known as 'Homo Habilis', given the date)whom most people would regard as more Ape than Man. Similarly the maker of the more sophisticated handaxe was also a pre- Sapiens hominid known as 'Homo Erectus'. Neil MacGregor refers to both toolmakers simply as 'human'. Perhaps inconveniently Homo Erectus remains are found all over Europe and Asia. Is Mr.MacGregor ignoring the woolly mammoth in the living room in order to evade the politically tricky question of what, exactly, came Out of Africa?

Are there any plans to publish these objects in book form at the end of the project?