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BBC’s History of the World

The History of the World is a partnership between The British Museum, the BBC and UK museums. The project aims to tell the History of the World through man-made objects. At the heart of the project is the BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 objects*. Regional museums have chosen their own local objects with global links to appear on the dedicated website BBC history website ‘A History of the World’.

Only 10 objects were originally chosen to represent Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. You can see two of these special artefacts at Island museums.

Seal Matrix – Museum of Island History  

A seal matrix was used to make a mark in hot wax to seal letters and documents. This seal matrix was found by a metal detectorist on the Isle of Wight in 2006. The find was reported to the Finds Liaison Officer and it was later declared as treasure. The seal matrix is over 700 years old, dating from the Medieval period. The matrix belonged to 'Walter of Longdown' who would probably have worn it around his neck. The outside of the seal is made from silver whilst the gem is a piece of carved red jasper, engraved in the Roman Period around the first century AD. The intaglio shows the Goddess Victory standing on a globe. Victory was a Roman goddess who would crown the victorious with a wreath made from leaves. The goddess Victory was very popular with the Roman army. Walter of Longdown may have been aware of the Roman meaning of the engraving. However he may have re-interpreted the figure as an angel and the stars as the heavens.

The Museum of Island History (The Guildhall, High Street, Newport) will be holding a free entry day on Saturday 20^th February 10.30am -3pm. The seal matrix will be on display along with the latest exhibition ‘100 years of Girlguiding’. For opening times and admission prices please visit www.iwight.com/museums or call 01983 823366.

Airborne Lifeboat – Classic Boat Museum

An airborne lifeboat on display at the Classic Boat Museum on Newport Quay has also been shortlisted to feature in the BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 objects.

Designed by Uffa Fox during World War II, the lifeboat was launched from beneath a bomber aircraft and dropped into the sea with the assistance of parachutes, to help aircrew who had been shot down and who were either in a small life raft or in the sea itself.  It was designed to complement the better known air/sea rescue boats because a bomber could often get to the casualties more quickly. There were large numbers of these boats built during and after the war and hundreds of lives were saved by this invention.

The Classic Boat Museum also houses a unique collection of lovingly restored sailing and power boats as well as a large restoration shed.  The Classic Boat Museum (The Quay, Newport Harbour) is currently open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10.30am to 3.30pm. For more information and admission prices, visit www.classicboatmuseum.org, or telephone 01983 533493.  

*A History of the World is a partnership between the BBC and the British Museum that extends across the UK - the local site for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is, www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire. At the heart of the project is the BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 objects.  
For broadcast details, visit www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nrtd2