LONDON — Archaeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a head-scratching discovery: His skull appears to be missing.
Researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore the playwright’s tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon’s Holy Trinity Church. Staffordshire University archaeologist Kevin Colls said they found “an odd disturbance at the head end,” with evidence of repairs some time after the original burial.
He said the finding supports a claim — first made in 1879 but long dismissed as myth — that the Bard’s skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century.
“It’s very, very convincing to me that his skull isn’t at Holy Trinity at all,” Colls said.
Church records say Shakespeare was buried in his hometown church, 100 miles northwest of London, on April 25, 1616, two days after his death at age 52. His wife, Anne Hathaway, daughter and son-in-law later were buried alongside him.
