Archaeological & Geoarchaeological Observation, East Sussex
Hove Beach Park was delivered through the Kingsway to the Sea regeneration project in West Hove, Brighton & Hove, designed to breathe new life into rundown and underused spaces on the seafront.
In Brief
Key Points
- Multiple use areas of amenity space, gardens and sports facilities
- Phased programme of redevelopment
- Potential for geoarchaeological features and deposits
Summary
The northern site boundaries lay within or very close to Quaternary Head and River Terrace deposits, both of which are of geoarchaeological interest, having the potential to preserve evidence of prehistoric land use. A programme of archaeological and geoarchaeological monitoring was therefore agreed with the county archaeologist ahead of redevelopment works, which included provision of disabled access ramps and construction of sports and events areas and gardens.
Excavations were minimal in the main area of geoarchaeological interest at the northern extent of the site but a drainage trench running alongside Kingsway provided an opportunity to characterise the mid-Pleistocene beach and Head deposits in this area.
Results
It was concluded that the Head deposits in this area had been heavily reworked, probably during the original seafront development in the 1890s, and contained finds of clay pipe.
The project was completed, with the phased opening of the new seafront.
