Staff members examine a marble statue of Mithras during preparations for the upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

How can you explore the world’s history in only 100 cultural objects? The answer can be found at an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

To be opened on March 2, The History of the World in 100 Objects narrates the development and diversities of global history through a selection of artifacts, pieces of artwork and other kinds of objects from the British Museum's encyclopedia collection.

Chinese objects to be the centerpieces include a civil official figure discovered in a Tang Dynasty tomb dated about AD 730 in central Henan province and a ceramic amphora produced between AD 600 and 700.

The exhibition runs until May 31.

Staff members prepare for an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing. A ceramic Chinese figure from a Tang Dynasty tomb will be on display during an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.  Staff members prepare for an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing. A cultural relic to be displayed at an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing. Staff members prepare for an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.  A cultural relic to be displayed at an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.  A mural painting to be displayed at an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.  A limestone carving from the Great Stupa of Amaravati is among the exhibits to be displayed during an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.  Staff members prepare for an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.