Minister steps in to help save a prehistoric British battle-axe head from leaving the UK
What was announced
Government temporarily blocks rare prehistoric battle-axe head from leaving the UK
Key points, in the publisher's words
- The UK Government has placed a temporary export bar on the Scarthingwell battle-axe head, a rare survivor from prehistoric Britain, in the hope that a UK museum, gallery or institution can acquire it and secure it for public display.
- The Scarthingwell battle-axe head is a rare and exceptionally well preserved example of prehistoric craftsmanship. Dating to the Bronze Age, it represents more than 6,000 years of polished stone working in Britain, beginning with the first axes associated with early farming communities.
- The temporary export ban gives museums and galleries time to raise the funds needed to acquire the battle-axe head, with the aim of keeping this important object in the UK and on public display.
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “Dating to the Bronze Age, it represents more than 6,000 years of polished stone working in Britain, beginning with the first axes associated with early farming communities.”
- “At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the battle-axe at the recommended price of £15,000.”
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (UK government department) · more news
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Museums and galleries.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-steps-in-to-help-save-a-prehistoric-british-battle-axe-head-from-leaving-the-uk
- Published 2026-10-23 13:00:02 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-10-23 19:45:32 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 776, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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