Neil MacGregor:

2600 years of history in one object

A clay cylinder covered in Akkadian cuneiform script, damaged and broken, the Cyrus Cylinder is a powerful symbol of religious tolerance and multi-culturalism. In this enthralling talk Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, traces 2600 years of Middle Eastern history through this single object.

Neil MacGregor

Director of The British Museum

The writer and presenter of the BBC Radio 4 series "A History of the World in 100 Objects" and the accompanying book. Full bio