The development of more sophisticated metal tools in this era changed man’s relationship with the environment – permitting greater control over the landscape and enabling more permanent settlement and effective hunting and defence. During this period permanent field systems appeared and the trading of high value goods took place over considerable distance and some extraordinary craftsmanship has been preserved in archaeological finds. There is not much that Hambledon tells us of this era but in context it is likely that Hambledon provided a location with all the requirements of Bronze Age settlement. The characteristic round barrows dotted around the outskirts of the village are the most visible remnants of this era.