Tangible things: making history through objects

Introduction: thinking with things

I. Things in place

Natural history: An orchid: Say it with flowers

Anthropology and archaeology: A glass jar: A surface find in the Semitic museum

Books and manuscripts: A papyrus fragment: Plato from the sharp-nosed trash

Art: A limestone mold: Set in stone

Science and medicine: A collection of powders: Political chemistry

History: A field-hockey Dress: Fit for a knockabout sport

II. Things unplaced

A gift from the ladies of Llangollen: Memorandums of a cottage

A Galapagos tortoiseshell: "Ship Abigail"

A carved spoon: Pointing a finger

A Mexican tortilla: from exotic to ordinary

A beetle ornament: Iridescent opulence

A board game: Tracking Blondie

III. Things out of place

An artist's palette: The psychology of Vision

A tin bluebird: Calling for the vote

A hand plow: Plowshares and swords

A carved bird skull: Nature or culture?

IV. Things in stories - Stories in things

Objects as portals

A nostalgic painting: The message

Transits of Venus

Changing stories about American Indians

Photo essay: Unexpected discoveries: The joy of object photography.