Stonehenge Guided Tours

Our ancient British ancestors have been “making and breaking relationships with continental Europe” for thousands of years, a new exhibition will show.

The collection, including a 6,500-year-old jade axe made in Italy, will go on display at Stonehenge on Friday.

The axe is made of jadeitite obtained from the French-Italian Alps TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM/PA

Organisers say it highlights how there were different periods of connection with, and relative isolation from, Europe in Britain’s history.

It will be the first time the objects have been displayed together.

Experts say in the late Neolithic period when Stonehenge was built, about 5,000 years ago, communities living in the British Isles appear to have been insular and had little communication with continental Europe.

But both before and after, in the early Neolithic and the early Bronze Age period, items, styles and religious beliefs were being shared widely.

English Heritage historian, Susan Greaney, said:…