New Archaeology Gallery opens at Brighton Museum

Visitors to Brighton Museum can step back in time to the Ice Age and come face to face with Saxons when a fascinating new archaeology gallery opens its doors.

The new Elaine Evans Archaeology Gallery which opens on Saturday 26 January, follows the stories of seven people, five who were early residents of Brighton & Hove.

Using scientific research from their remains, 3D reconstructions have been recreated to show what they may have looked like.

As the newest archaeology gallery in the UK, the Brighton Museum space has been designed to get away from the traditional glass cases full of pots and flints.

Instead the gallery has been designed to appeal to children who study the time period as part of the National Curriculum. Teachers and education specialists have been involved in the creation of the new gallery along with members of the Sussex Archaeology Society.

Step back in time

The gallery uses sound, film and images to illustrate life in Saxon times including the sound of people working, cooking and sawing.

The museum curator said: “I’m very proud of the new gallery and we hope visitors will find it fascinating.

“We think it will be very exciting to come face to face with our local ancestors with our 3D reconstructions and see how they helped to shape our lives.”

Amber Cup

The museum will also feature some of the most important historical finds from the Sussex area including the internationally important Amber Cup, one of the largest prehistoric amber objects found in the world, the beautiful Romano-British bronze Woodingdean Stag, designated as an item of national significance by the government and the Sarsen Stone, found in Mile Oak believed to be part of a neolithic henge which would have been placed to track the movements of the sun and the moon.

Story telling

Children will also be able to enjoy an original adventure story and illustrations produced by local author Imogen White and illustrator Jennifer Khatun. The story follows Elva a young girl which will give young people the chance to imagine life as a Brighton & Hove child in the past.

Councillor Alan Robins, chair of the tourism, development and culture committee said: “We are extremely proud to be opening our new, exciting and innovative archaeology gallery.

“By bringing the past to life, with special effects, sights and sounds we hope we can inspire and educate a whole new generation of young people.”

Learn more about the Elaine Evans Archaeology Gallery.

Brighton Museum opens every day from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free for Brighton & Hove residents.