The Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, retells the history of human development from the first stone axe to the credit card using 100 selected objects from the Museum. His history will cover two million years and include items that were made in every part of the globe. But his journey begins when, at the age of eight, he visited the British Museum for the first time and came face-to-face with an object that fascinated and intrigued him ever since - an Egyptian mummy.Hornedjitef was a priest who died around 2250 years ago, and he designed a coffin that, he believed, would help him navigate his way to the afterlife. Little did he know that this afterlife would be as a museum exhibit in London. This ornate coffin holds secrets to the understanding of his religion, society and Egypt's connections to the rest of the world.Neil MacGregor tells the story of Hornedjitef's mummy case, with contributions from egyptologist John Taylor, Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif and Indian economist and Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen

Political historian, magazine editor, and writer from Egypt discuss complex perceptions of modern Britain, including historical events like the Suez Crisis and the impact of the Iraq War. They explore British influence in Egypt, multiculturalism, and contrasting views on Brexit. Insights on literature, healthcare, and societal values add depth to the discussion.

Economist Amartya Sen, politician Boris Johnson, political commentator Andrew Marr, and writer Ahdaf Soueif join Neil MacGregor in exploring powerful rulers from 2000 years ago. The podcast discusses the projection of power through objects like coins depicting Alexander the Great, the significance of imagery in ancient art and coinage, the challenges of appropriating past leaders in democratic cultures, and upcoming episodes on the Rosetta Stone and the emperor Ashoka.