(NT 969137) Palisaded settlement, North Pike, Alnham. (1)

Two ring groove 'huts', each of 22m diameter, probably representing final phase of rebuilding on same spot as there are at least two, possibly three grooves on each side. The grooves are very shallow, <100mm and defined largely be vegetation change. Two possible clearance cairns to north-east. Modern track to North Pike cairn passes through north-west ring groove. (2)(3)

Palisaded settlement 125m south of North Pike cairn. Scheduling revised on 10 October 2001. The monument includes the known extent of the upstanding and buried remains of a palisaded settlement of later prehistoric date, situated on a high north east facing ridge between the Fore Burn and the Cobden Sike. The settlement was first seen on aerial photographs and is visible on the ground as the slight remains of two timber built hut circles and part of what is thought to be a surrounding palisade. The first and more northerly hut circle is visible as a circular area about 22m in diameter. It is defined by a palisade slot 0.5m wide and 0.1m deep surrounded by a low bank 1m wide which stands to 0.1m high. This bank is thought to be formed of upcast from the digging of the palisade. In places, especially around the north eastern arc, there are slight traces of an external palisade slot. The second hut circle, situated some 10m south east of the first is visible as a circular area about 21m in diameter. It is defined by the slight traces of a palisade 0.5m wide largely visible as a change in colour of the vegetation. Aerial photographs show that there is a surrounding bank about 1m wide and an entrance through the eastern side of the hut circle. Some 16m to the south of the latter, there is a fragment of palisade 20m long, visible as a slight bank 0.1m high. This feature is thought to be part of a more extensive palisade which encloses two hut circles.
Despite being difficult to trace on the ground, the palisaded settlement is clearly visible on aerial photographs and is reasonably well-preserved. It will preserve information that will allow us to develop a better chronology and therefore understanding of this type of habitation site. The recovery of pottery and other artefacts from the floors of the houses will enhance our understanding of everyday life of the society that constructed and inhabited settlements in the Borders. As a rare monument type, this settlement taken together with other defended enclosures in the area will add to our knowledge of prehistoric settlement and society. (4)

This site lies on the ridge of North Pike at a height of 360 m OD, in tussock grass. The site is poorly defined, but appears to be a large diameter timber built house or small palisade settlement, some 22 m in diameter overall. Ephemeral traces of an outer construction trench enclose a low bank 1 m wide and no more than 0.1 m high, probably representing upcast from the construction trenches. An inner trench is 0.5 m wide and 0.1 m deep. No entrance was identified. The site is now bisected by a modern tractor track. Recorded on the NRHE as both NRHE UID 1033824 (Old NMR identifier NT 91 SE 36) and 1034062 (Old NMR identifier NT 91 SE 147) (5a)