The head of William Shakespeare may be missing, perhaps stolen by grave robbers back in the 18th century, a new study reports. This surprising conclusion was derived from a scan performed of the bard's grave.
"Secret History: Shakespeare's Tomb" is a British documentary that highlights the findings of the team, including evidence of the missing head.
Shakespeare wrote most of his best-known plays and sonnets during the opening years of the 17th century. The prolific playwright and poet passed away in 1616, exactly four centuries before our own time. His body, together with that of his wife, Anne Hathaway, is buried beneath the floors of the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
This study marks the first time church officials have allowed such an investigation.
Shakespeare is buried just 3 feet beneath the ground, without any metal, such as coffin nails. This suggests he may have been entombed draped in a simple shroud. Ground-penetrating radar readings also appear to show that the location where his head should be appears to have been disturbed long ago, and the skull might have been replaced with loose material. However, because of the nature of the study, it is uncertain whether or not the body part is missing.
A story that has circulated for nearly 150 years may explain the bizarre finding. In this story, physician Frank Chambers paid grave robbers to steal the skull in 1794. However, that tale, first published in 1879, has never been confirmed.
"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," said Kevin Colls of Staffordshire University.
In Beoley, a village 15 miles from Stratford, St. Leonard's church has a skull in a sealed crypt that legend claims to be that of the famous author. However, researchers determined the remains were that of a woman in her 70s.
The grave of William Shakespeare is not marked with his name, but is adorned with a curse to be cast upon anyone who disturbs his remains. It is uncertain whether or not the curse affected any grave robber who may have stolen his skull.
