When "A History of the World in 100 Objects" aired its final episode on Oct. 22, 2010, millions of loyal listeners eagerly tuned in.

The BBC Radio 4 series, on which the current exhibition of British Museum artifacts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is based, had charted 2 million years of history with 99 15-minute broadcasts revealing stories behind some of the London museum's most important historical objects. Naturally there had been much speculation on the 100th artifact. What could possibly represent the advancements and complications of contemporary society to earn a place in one of the largest museums in the world?

It took nine months of week-day broadcasts to reach the milestone, so it surprised some, if not disappointed a few, when it was revealed that the 100th object was a £30 (¥5,415) portable solar-powered lamp and charger.

But as underwhelming as it may have appeared, the plastic lamp and charger exemplifies one of the fascinating strengths of the radio series and current exhibition — their ability to spark or re-kindle interest in world history via both major works of art and minor, lesser known objects.

The lamp, says British Museum Director Neil MacGregor as he narrated that final broadcast, reflected the environmental issues of today and could play a key role in solving the world's energy problems. In the distant future, its significance could become as profound as that of other seemingly mundane objects of the exhibition.

Take, for example, the 5,000 B.C. Japanese bucket-sized clay pot. As one of the first cooking vessels ever made, the Jomon Period pot represents the birth of pottery and, as MacGregor points out in its radio show, "possibly the world's first stew." Pottery vessels changed the way humans stored, cooked and ate food, which also led to more variety in the diet. It's no wonder that rustic Jomon pieces, the first clay pots in the world, became what MacGregor describes as "cultural ambassadors of Japan."

Of course, there are many famous and visually striking exhibits vying for attention at "A History of the World in 100 objects," which, according to curator Belinda Crerar, took four years to research for the 2010 radio show and an additional four years to adjust for the touring exhibition.

"It was a huge undertaking," Crerar said in an email. "It involved curators and researchers from throughout the British Museum, as well as the consultation of many external academics, to finally decide on the chosen 100."

Roughly half of the items featured in the original radio show were too fragile, valuable or cumbersome to take on the road. Japan, however, is fortunate enough to have a few original objects that the show's previous stops in Abu Dhabi and Taiwan didn't get to showcase. One of these is the mysterious "Standard of Ur," dated about 2,500 B.C.

A 50-cm long, 20-cm tall trapezoidal box inlaid with exotic shells, red marble and lapis lazuli, the "Standard of Ur" was named by its discoverer, Leonard Woolley, who in the 1920s unearthed it in Mesopotamia (current-day Iraq). Originally, Woolley thought it was an army standard, but in fact, no one knows exactly what it was. Historians do agree, however, that it is extraordinary in the way that it reveals much about the circumstances, power and control that were needed to for the world's first major settlements to develop.

The range of imported materials — shells from the Gulf, lapiz from Afghanistan and marble from India — indicate a prosperous society where surplus could be used for international trade and to commission luxury artisanship. On one side of the box, a hierarchical class system needed to control society is depicted, with a king at the top and his subjects below; while the other side reveals the frighteningly severe army used to protect it.

Of all the artifacts, the "Standard of Ur" may be the most apt to focus on. Like an ancient microcosmic version of the British Museum's project, it brought together treasures from other nations with new artistic practices in an unusual way to document politics, warfare and emerging civilization.

Similarly, the "A History of the World in 100 Objects" project was a trailblazer — a new way of documenting history and exhibiting artifacts. Listeners of the radio show were encouraged to visit an ambitious interactive website where they could find 360-degree views of the objects being discussed, numerous links to and information on collaborations with institutions, plus downloadable podcasts of every Radio 4 episode. Maps to all the items were also distributed in the British Museum for visitors wanting to view the real artifacts.

It was a formula for broadening the reach and context of exhibitions that other institutions have since emulated, and like the objects in this exhibition, it will probably go down in world history, too.

"A History of the World in 100 Objects" at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum runs till June 28; ¥1,600. www.tobikan.jp. The exhibition moves to the Kyushu National Museum from July to September, followed by the Kobe City Museum from Sept to Jan. 2016.

Giveaway

The Japan Times has five pairs of tickets to this exhibition to give away to readers. Apply online at jtimes.jp/tickets. Deadline: May 3.