SDO15736 - Lloyds Bank, High Street, Gillingham, Dorset. Results of an Archaeological Evaluation.

‘South West Archaeology Ltd. was commissioned to undertake a targeted archaeological evaluation a at Lloyds Bank, High Street, Dorset, to inform on the archaeological potential and character of potential archaeology on the site. The results of the archaeological evaluation test pitting indicate the overall low potential of the site for surviving archaeological deposits. The site has been levelled, terraced and built on, through the 19th and 20th centuries, which appears to have removed any traces of earlier archaeological deposits and features. Most of the finds recovered from the three test pits were of post 18th century date, with only a single sherd of medieval coarseware. Many were fragments of bricks, floor tiles and pantiles, which had obviously been used as part of the hardcore levelling for the car park. The test pits are relatively conclusive regarding the archaeological potential of the site. The level of truncation and made-ground indicate the low potential of archaeological features or remains on the site. The general paucity of finds might indicate that there had been a lack/limited amount of earlier archaeological features or deposits on the site prior to its disturbance and development. Further archaeological monitoring on this site is unlikely to generate meaningful results and no further archaeological works are recommended.’