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Researchers Prove Shakespeare's Skull Probably Isn't In His Grave (washingtonpost.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the alas-poor-Yorick dept.

An anonymous reader writes: 400 years after Shakespeare's interment in Stratford-upon-Avon, archaeological researchers scanned his grave with a ground-penetrating radar to confirm a legend that his skull was stolen by grave robbers. Under cover of night, three men crept toward the Holy Trinity Church with dimmed lanterns and an assortment of tools, according to an "anonymous author, who heard it from a guy, who heard it from his uncle Frank, who claimed to be the grave robber himself." The Washington Post reports this story, published in 1879 but believed to have occurred in 1794, now draws more credibility from the radar scan. Ironically, the grave robbers was said to have been inspired by a British parliament member and phrenologist who'd promised 300 guineas for a chance to examine Shakespeare's skull, but who then reneged after learning it had been stolen from Shakespeare's grave.

8 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. found it by bugs2squash · · Score: 4, Funny

    it's on ebay

    --
    Nullius in verba
    1. Re:found it by kenai_alpenglow · · Score: 2

      Ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shakes...

  2. Ultimate irony by Nidi62 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Most likely it ended up in some theater's prop house and has been used in stagings of Hamlet

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    1. Re:Ultimate irony by KGIII · · Score: 5, Informative

      Now that would be amusing. I do find it baffling. They *proved* that it *probably* isn't in his grave. So, in other words, they didn't really prove anything. *sighs*

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  3. What? by Br00se · · Score: 3, Informative

    Prove and probably aren't two words I like to see used together. I guess to a statistician or others who divine the future from tea leaves or entrails it is acceptable.

  4. Prove ... Probably by coldmist · · Score: 2

    When words don't mean anything any more, 1+1 = 3 and Communism = Capitalism (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BadFTesAPzY)

    Whatever feels good, you can't be wrong.

    What is going on with modern education???

    --
    Don't steal. The government hates competition.
  5. Wat? by paiute · · Score: 2

    who'd promised 300 guineas for a chance to examine Shakespeare's skull, but who then reneged after learning it had been stolen from Shakespeare's grave

    How did he expect to get the chance to examine it exactly?

    --
    If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
  6. Doh! by Archtech · · Score: 2

    "Ironically, the grave robbers was said to have been inspired by a British parliament member and phrenologist who'd promised 300 guineas for a chance to examine Shakespeare's skull, but who then reneged after learning it had been stolen from Shakespeare's grave".

    Incidentally proving that the intelligence of politicians has not changed much in 200 years. Where did he expect Shakespeare's skull to be found - in the Taj Mahal?

    --
    I am sure that there are many other solipsists out there.