An exhibition showcasing 100 items from the British Museum is open to the public at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

The exhibition “A History of the World in 100 Objects” originated from a popular radio program of the BBC with the British Museum, telling the story of human civilization using 100 objects selected from the encyclopedic collections of the British Museum.

Unlike traditional narratives that focus on selected periods or cultural zones, this exhibition reviews the common stories of human development from a new perspective.

Tracing human activity from 2 million years ago to the present, the stories behind the objects reveal how mankind in various areas and cultures shared similar aspirations and development in aspects of power, belief, art, trading and technology. Through this broadened vision, visitors may gain new inspiration about the world we live in.

The exhibits are selected from various geographical areas and include the first human stone tool from Africa, evidence of the first city from Iraq’s “The Standard of Ur,” 50 manillas (a form of currency) from the slave trade, a ship’s chronometer from HMS Beagle of Darwin’s world voyage and Japanese artist Hokusai’s famous woodblock print “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” from the series “36 Views of Mt. Fuji.” Each object tells a story that invites the viewer to travel in time and to far corners of the world.

Dates: Until Sept. 9

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Mondays, Wednesdays to Fridays), 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)

Tickets: HK$5-10

Venue: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

MTR: Che Kung Temple Station(SD News)