Hazleton long barrows

Hazleton long barrows
Interactive map of Hazleton long barrows
LocationGloucestershire, England
Coordinates51°52′07″N 01°53′45″W / 51.86861°N 1.89583°W / 51.86861; -1.89583
TypeLong barrow
History
MaterialLimestone
Site notes
Excavation datesFrom 1979 to 1982
ArchaeologistsTeam led by Alan Saville
ManagementEnglish Heritage

Hazleton long barrows are a pair of Neolithic chambered tombs located close to Hazleton village in Gloucestershire, England. Part of the Cotswold-Severn group of long barrows, the barrows, Hazleton North and Hazleton South, date back to approximately 3700-3600 BCE. Hazleton North is deemed a notable archaeological site owing to its well-preserved structure that allowed researchers to gain insight into early farming communities during prehistoric British society.

Hazleton North underwent a major and total archaeological excavation between 1979 and 1982. Results of the excavation offered direct evidence of kinship-based burial practices, revealing one of the earliest-known family trees from DNA analysis. Comprehensive research into the barrow's construction, deconstruction and inner burial chamber provided valuable information on Neolithic burial culture and social organisation in prehistoric Britain.