In 2008-9 archaeological excavation took place at various points along the Grain to Shorne pipeline route.

Area H was a portion of the Grain-Shorne pipeline excavated in 2009. No subsoil was observed across the site and so it is likely that there has been significant disturbance and truncation by ploughing. Despite this there were substantial remains recorded.

Two pits and five postholes were dated to the Neolithic/Early Bronze Age. The pits were 1.4m in diameter and 0.22m deep and 0.98m long, 0.5m deep and 0.1m deep. A Neolithic/Early Bronze Age end scraper was found in one of the pits. The postholes were arranged in a circle approximately 2m in diameter.

The most significant features and finds recorded in the mitigation area related to three phases of activity on the site of a Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age enclosure. The first phase saw a sub-circular enclosure established. The enclosure was only partially exposed but was at least 98m in diameter with segmental sections of ditch, on average 1m wide and 0.3m deep. Pottery and fire-cracked flint were found in these ditches. There was a complex of ditches in the entrance of the enclosure making a number of routes into the centre, varying between 4m wide and 2.2m wide. There was also a possible east entrance to the enclosure. There were two linear groups of postholes/pits aligned either side of then entrance facing to the south-west. This alignment was made up of postholes 0.8m to 0.2m in diameter and ran for 16m. There were also two small groups of postholes outside of the entrance.

Other internal features of the enclosure include a hearth and two posthole/pit groups. The hearth was 32m within the enclosure and was 1.1m in diameter and 0.14m deep. There was evidence of burning and finds included Late Bronze Age pottery, perforated slab fragments and fire-cracked flints. One of the pit groups was made up of five features varying in size from 3.2m to 0.2m in diameter. A ditch within the enclosure that was possibly part of the entrance way arrangements contained Late Bronze Age pottery, perforated slab fragments, fire-cracked flints, briquetage vessels and pedestal fragments (along with one intrusive fragment of Middle/Late Iron Age pottery).

Four external posthole/pit groups may have been contemporary with the use of the enclosure. One produced remains of wheat grain and chaff, barley grain and common pea. Another pit had frequent fire-cracked flints, worked flints, Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery sherds and perforated slab fragments. A ditch to the south-west could also have been contemporary. It was 4m wide and 0.28m deep.

The next phase of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age activity saw the enclosure fall from use and field boundaries cut across it. Two ditches curved across the site, one 0.9m wide and 0.2m deep and the other 3m wide and 0.6m deep. One contained perforated lab fragments, a briquetage pedestal, dumps of fire-cracked flints and Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery sherds. A pit also dated to this phase cut the ditch of the enclosure. It was 0.3m wide and 0.24m deep. A near complete pottery vessel was placed upright in the base of the pit.

The third phase of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age activity saw the field ditches silt up and new ditches on a similar alignment dug. One ditch was 0.4m wide and 0.18m deep and contained a near semi-complete pottery vessel. Another ditch was larger, at 1.1m wide and 0.35m deep, and contained perforated slab fragments and Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery sherds. Two pits and a stake hole were located within the entrance of the enclosure, suggesting it was out of use. Part of a large quarry pit was also seen. It was at least 68m long, 4.5m and 0.25m deep. There were also a number of pits that are thought to be contemporary.

The only evidence of Middle/Late Iron Age activity was the sherd found in the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age hearth. It is thought that this represents a hiatus of activity on the site. (1-2)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2009, Archaeological investigations at Grain - Shorne pipeline, Isle of Grain, Kent: Phase 7 Post-excavation assessment and project design for publication [DRAFT] (Unpublished document). SKE15791.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2012, Archaeological Investigations along the Isle of Grain – Shorne Pipeline Route, Hoo Peninsula, Kent: Publication Report (Unpublished document). SKE18113.