Shakespeare’s Tomb

Synopsis: A documentary on an archaeological investigation of Shakespeare’s tomb presented by historian Dr Helen Castor. For decades, all requests to perform archaeology at the grave have been turned down by Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. But now they have allowed this scan, which enables investigation below ground-level without disturbing the site. Historians and archaeologists have long argued over Shakespeare’s final resting place, questioning the size of the stone, which is too short for an adult burial, and which carries no name, only a curse. The investigation of the grave was led by archaeologist Kevin Colls of Staffordshire University, and geophysicist Erica Utsi. They made a number of important discoveries which together with Colls’ wider investigations have led him to conclude: "We have Shakespeare’s burial with an odd disturbance at the head end and we have a story that suggests that at some point in history someone’s come in and taken the skull of Shakespeare. It’s very very convincing to me that his skull isn’t at Holy Trinity at all."
Language: English
Country: Great Britain; United States
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 26 Mar 2016 at 20:00 (Channel: Channel 4)
Duration: 46 mins

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: archaeological investigation; biographies; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare, "Shakespeare’s Tomb". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av76976 (Accessed 26 Dec 2024)

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