Two cairnfields were investigated at Alnham during excavations there by Newcastle University between 1962-63. One (cairnfield A) extends across the small plateau on the east side of Pigdon Burn (area NT 968121). The other (cairnfield B), almost completely destroyed, lies on the southern slope between High Knowes and Coppath Burn (area NT 975122). A similar burial area may have existed at one time towards the foot of Hazeltonrig Hill on the west side of Spartley Burn (area NT 968126), but this is less certain. Cairnfield A contains the remains of twenty two simple stone-built cairns, which have no structural features showing apart from the occasional kerb-stone. They vary in diameter from 10ft to 18ft, and are between 1ft and 3ft in height. Almost all of them show clear indications of robbing. In addition there are traces of six circular ditched enclosures averaging 20ft in diameter, within which there are few if any traces of a cairn or mound.
Two cairns, and one of the ditched enclosures were excavated. One of the cairns was found to be covering a surface cremation, and yielded a bronze ring-headed pin of a type closely resembling the Irish series of the 1st/2nd centuries AD, but a case can be made for an origin in Yorkshire Eastern Second 'B'. The second cairn was greatly robbed, but contained evidence of an inhumation, and a barbed and tanged arrowhead, and two sherds of a collared and and cordoned Bell beaker were found. In the ditched enclosure there was no trace of a burial, and a flint scraper, and fragment of jet were the only finds. The destroyed burials in cairnfield B would probably have escaped notice but for the faint traces of a circular ditch some 33ft diameter containing indications of a well-spread mound. Excavation showed that two small pits had been sunk in the internal area, which although robbed, contained indications of cremations, and five weathered stone slabs in the external ditch may have formed a small box cist. Finds included 17 flints; a fragment of a possible tripartite urn; and two sherds of Romano-British pottery. (1)
NT 96751215 Nine well-formed cairns are prominent in field 'A' (see photographs for two examples) the others are little more than odd stones protruding through small tussocks of grass. Similarly with the 'ditched enclosures', that excavated, and perhaps three others are discernible as superficial depressions, no more can be identifiable in the coarse tufted grass covering. Surveyed at 6 inch scale.
The single excavated cairn at NT 97361213 in 'B' survives only as a slight circular depression. Surveyed at 1:2500. There are no others visible in the area, and the former existence of a 'field' is based on the assumption that it was an extension of, or similar to 'A'. (a)
Nothing resembling a cairn cluster was noted in a perambulation of the lower slopes of Hazeltonrig Hill. (2)
None of these stony mounds appear to be purpose constructed. They are unconsolidated and irregular in shape and although no obvious traces of a field system are visible amongst the coarse hummocky grass, ie lynchets or field banks, it is obvious that they are a result of stone clearance. The fact that the odd mound has been found to contain a burial is not uncommon. (3)
Sub-circular enclosure surviving as a slight earthwork within High Knowes cairnfield. No internal features; external bank very slight. Uncertain whether there had been a covering mound or cairn in the interior. External diameter c.9.5m, internal diameter c.5.65m, ditch 0.9m wide, outer bank 0.15m high x 1m wide. Mini-henge or causewayed barrow. (4)
NT 967122. High Knowes cairnfield cord rig contemporary with unenclosed timber-built settlement with ring ditch houses. Small plot cultivation. (5)
NT 967122 High Knowes, cord rig occurs in small discrete plots of 30-60 square metres. (6)
Cairnfield, unenclosed hut circle settlement and area of cord rig 190m north east of Pigdon's Leap. The scheduling was revised on 10 October 2001. The monument includes the known extent of the upstanding and buried remains of a cairnfield, an unenclosed settlement and area of cord rig cultivation of Bronze Age date, situated on the east bank of the Pigdon's Sike, a tributary of the Spartley Burn. The cairnfield, situated on a level shoulder is visible as the remains of up to 32 irregularly shaped mounds of stone. In size, the cairns can be divided into two groups; there are about five larger cairns ranging in size from 4m to 6m in diameter, which stand to a height of 0.4m to 0.5m. The remaining cairns are considerably smaller than this, being on average 2m in diameter and 0.1m high. Two of the larger cairns were partially excavated in 1962-3. The first, which is situated towards the western end of the cairnfield, is visible as a circular stone built mound 6m wide and 0.5m high with a large hollow at its centre. Upon excavation this cairn covered an irregularly shaped area demarcated by a narrow rock cut trench 0.6m wide. On the inside edge of the trench there was a low bank of earth and brash, largely upcast from the diggin of the trench. The inner side of this low mound was marked by an insubstantial kerb of small stones which enclosed a roughly circular area 4m in diameter. Contained within this area there was a spread of burnt wood containing a scatter of worked flints; at the centre of this deposit small pieces of burnt bone were recovered associated with a decorated bronze pin of Bronze Age date. This spread of wood and bone is thought to represent the remains of a funeral pyre. The second cairn situated at the south east side of the cairnfield contained a shallow hollow interpreted by the excavator as a grave; the lack of burial was thought to be due to earlier disturbance of the centre. In addition to small pieces of flint, an arrowhead and two pieces of pottery of Bronze Age form were discovered. At the south western edge of the cairnfield, on gently sloping ground, there is a discreet group of five circular enclosures defined by ditches. These are thought to be the remains of circular, timber houses forming an unenclosed settlement. Each is visible as a level circular or oval platform, set into the slope and defined by a ditch. The most prominent measures 7.5m in diameter within a surrounding ditch 2.5m wide and 0.2m deep. There is an entrance in the south east side visible as a raised causeway 2m wide. This hut circle was partially excavated in 1962-3 when a low mound surrounding the ditch was uncovered and a flint tool and a fragment of jet were found. The four remaining hut circles are less well pronounced as their ditches have become infilled with silt. They range in diameter from 9m to 12m overall and are largely visible as a scarp marking the backs of the platforms where they are terraced into the slope. These scarps vary in size from 0.2m to 0.45m high. The most westerly of the hut circles contains a small cairn 3m in diameter and 0.35m high at its centre. At the northern end of the cairnfield there is a small area of cord rig cultivation visible across an area measuring 32m by 24m. The narrow furrows, which are visible as a change in vegetation colour, are abour 0.25m wide and about 1.5m apart.
The cairnfield, unenclosed hut circle settlement and area of cord rig survives well. The distribution of individual cairns within the cairnfield will add to our understanding of the way in which prehistoric field plots were organised. The association of the cairnfield with cord rig cultivation will also enhance our knowledge of agricultural practice at this time. Partial excavation has shown that at least some of the individual cairns contain funerary remains which are important for the information they can provide about the date of the cairnfield and the beliefs of the society who used it. The unenclosed settlement is well-preserved, and the form and method of the construction of the houses will add to our knowledge of the nature and use of this type of settlement. Taken together, with other prehistoric settlements and field systems in the vicinity, the settlement, agricultural and funerary remains are an important addition to our knowledge of settlement and society at this time. (7)