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Its earliest occupation was in the Neolithic when a pair of causewayed enclosures were dug at the top of the hill, one smaller than the other. They were linked by a bank and ditch running north west- south east. Two long barrows one 68 m in length also stood within the complex and a third enclosure is now known to underlie later earthworks. In all, the area of activity covered more than 100 haA hectare (symbol ha is a metric unit of surface area, equal to 100 ares (the name is a contraction of the SI prefix hecto + are . It is a non-SI unit currently accepted (although discouraged) for use with the SI. In India, also the abbreviation hac is us. Excavations in the 1970sMillennia: 1st millennium 2nd millennium 3rd millennium Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Years: 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Events and trends and 1980sMillennia: 1st millennium 2nd millennium 3rd millennium Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s Years: 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Events and trends by Roger MercerRoger Mercer is a British archaeologist whose work has concentrated on the Neolithic and Bronze Age of the British Isles. Between 1970 and 1973 he led the excavations at Carn Brea in Cornwall and then went on to direct the excavations at Hambledon Hill. produced large quantities of Neolithic material. Environmental analysis indicated the site was occupied whilst the area was still wooded with forest clearances coming later, in the Bronze AgeThe Bronze Age is a period in a civilization's development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. The Bronze Age is part of the Three-age system for prehi. The charcoalCharcoal is the blackish residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents of animal and vegetable substances. It is usually produced by heating wood in the absence of oxygen (see char), but sugar charcoal, bon recovered seems to have come from timber lacing within the Neolithic earthworks. At least one skeletonSkeleton is also a winter sport: see skeleton (sport). In biology, the skeleton or skeletal system is the biological system providing support in living organisms. By extension, non-biological outline structures such as gantries or buildings may also acqui, of a young man killed by an arrowThis is an article about the projectile; see Arrow (disambiguation) for other meanings. An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates history and is common to most cultures. An arrow consists of a long and thin shaft made formerly was found, seemingly connected with the burning of the timber defences and suggesting at least one phase of violence. A single grape pip and a leaf fragment is evidence of vine cultivation and the occupants seem to have traded with sites further to the south west.

The ditches of the enclosures also contained significant quantities of pottery as well as red deer antler picks used to excavate them. Human skulls had been placed right at the bottom of one of the enclosure ditches possibly as a dedicatory or ancestral offerring. Animal bone analysis suggests that most of the meat was consumed in late summer and early autumn, possibly indicating seasonal use of the site. Different material was found in different areas of the site suggesting that Hambledon Hill was divided up into zones of activity. The original interpretation was that the large causewayed enclosure was used as a mortuary enclosure for the ritual disposal of the dead and veneration of the ancestors with attendant feasting and social contact taking place in the smaller enclosure.

Little remains of the Neolithic activity and the site is more easily identified as a prime example of an Iron age hill fort. It was originally univallate but further circuits of banks and ditches were added increasing its size to 12.5ha. Three entrances served the fort, the south western with a 100m long hornwork surrounding it. Hut platforms can be seen on the hillside. The site appears to have been abandoned around 300BC possibly in favour of the nearby site of Hod Hill