Area J was a portion of the Grain-Shorne pipeline on slopes of a broad ridge north-west of Cliffe Woods village excavated in 2008. It is thought that the subsoil evident across the site indicates little damage by ploughing.

A series of enclosures occupied the site from the early 1st century AD onwards. Evidence of activity was limited (partly due to later ploughing) and it is possible that these enclosures represent fields. A later enclosure was laid out in the late 1st century or early 2nd century AD. Between AD 150 and AD 250 the landscape was reorganised with new enclosures laid out. One of the enclosures of this phase produced a large number of pottery sherds and contained a concentration of pits and a hearth. Three oven bars and two oven slabs were found. This may have been settlement activity with domestic cooking and is possibly related to the nearby pottery production 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- Shorne pipeline, Isle of Grain, Kent: Phase 7 Post-excavation assessment and project design for publication [DRAFT] (Unpublished document).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Archaeological Investigations along the Isle of Grain – Shorne Pipeline Route, Hoo Peninsula, Kent: Publication Report (Unpublished document).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.