Is Shakespeare’s Skull Missing Or No?

In this Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 file photo, Head Verger Jon Ormrod tends to the grave of William Shakespeare in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England. Archeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a startling discovery: His skull appears to be missing. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the playwright’s tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon’s Holy Trinity Church. Kevin Colls, who led the study, said the team found “an odd disturbance at the head end.” He said Thursday, March 24, 2016 the finding lends support to a claim that the Bard’s skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century.
In this Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 file photo, Head Verger Jon Ormrod tends to the grave of William Shakespeare in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England. Archeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a startling discovery: His skull appears to be missing. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the playwright's tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church. Kevin Colls, who led the study, said the team found "an odd disturbance at the head end." He said Thursday, March 24, 2016 the finding lends support to a claim that the Bard's skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century. Kirsty Wigglesworth, file / AP
In this Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 file photo, Head Verger Jon Ormrod tends to the grave of William Shakespeare in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England. Archeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a startling discovery: His skull appears to be missing. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the playwright's tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church. Kevin Colls, who led the study, said the team found "an odd disturbance at the head end." He said Thursday, March 24, 2016 the finding lends support to a claim that the Bard's skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century. Kirsty Wigglesworth, file / AP
1 / 3
In this Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 file photo, Head Verger Jon Ormrod tends to the grave of William Shakespeare in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England. Archeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a startling discovery: His skull appears to be missing. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the playwright’s tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon’s Holy Trinity Church. Kevin Colls, who led the study, said the team found “an odd disturbance at the head end.” He said Thursday, March 24, 2016 the finding lends support to a claim that the Bard’s skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century.
In this Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 file photo, Head Verger Jon Ormrod tends to the grave of William Shakespeare in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England. Archeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a startling discovery: His skull appears to be missing. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the playwright's tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church. Kevin Colls, who led the study, said the team found "an odd disturbance at the head end." He said Thursday, March 24, 2016 the finding lends support to a claim that the Bard's skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century. Kirsty Wigglesworth, file / AP
In this Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 file photo, Head Verger Jon Ormrod tends to the grave of William Shakespeare in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon, England. Archeologists who scanned the grave of William Shakespeare say they have made a startling discovery: His skull appears to be missing. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the playwright's tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church. Kevin Colls, who led the study, said the team found "an odd disturbance at the head end." He said Thursday, March 24, 2016 the finding lends support to a claim that the Bard's skull was stolen by grave-robbers in the 18th century. Kirsty Wigglesworth, file / AP
1 / 3

Is Shakespeare’s Skull Missing Or No?

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Archaeologist Kevin Colls says Shakespeare’s skull is not in his grave. While this has been rumored for more than a century, not everyone agrees with Colls’ conclusion.


Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.