Expert panel revealed to interpret Shakespeare archaeology

With work due to start on the “Dig for Shakespeare”, an archaeological exploration of Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon, on 26 March the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has revealed a panel of world experts, who will be tasked with piecing together archaeological evidence into a detailed picture of Shakespeare’s later life.

The Advisory Board will work alongside Birmingham Archaeology to help focus the investigation, to ensure that the dig – which runs until September – yields the maximum possible information about Shakespeare’s life when he returned from London to Stratford, where he died in 1616.

The Panel is headed by Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Learning and Research for Shakespeare Birthplace Trust , and comprises: · Martin Carver, freelance archaeologist · Ann Donnelly, archaeologist and Head of Museums, SBT. · Ian George, archaeologist, English Heritage. · Professor Andrew Gurr, professor emeritus, University of Reading. · Richard Kemp, archaeologist, project manager and Heritage Interpreter. · Professor Kate McLuskie, Director of The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham and SBT Trustee. · Jonathan Parkhouse, archaeologist, Warwickshire Archaeology. · Harvey Sheldon, archaeologist, Birkbeck College, London. · Professor Tiffany Stern, University of Oxford and SBT Trustee. · Professor Stanley Wells C.B.E., Chairman, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. · John Taplin, SBT Guide and expert on New Place and Nash's House. · Professor Rene Weis, University College, London and SBT Trustee. · Michael Wood, television historian and SBT Trustee

“Often, archaeologists will not know the names of the people whose lives they are trying to piece together during a dig, but with Shakespeare, so much is already known about the man that we needed the world’s foremost experts to help slot the pieces of the archaeological jigsaw into place,” comments Dr Paul Edmondson. “This group of some of the top Shakespeare scholars and archaeological experts will help us better interpret the finds being pulled out of the ground, and comprehend how they fit into the picture we already have of Shakespeare to expand our understanding of the writer.”

The panel will meet every month throughout the dig and beyond, as once the excavation has been completed, there will then follow months of scientific testing and interpretation of the finds.

The Dig for Shakespeare started on Friday 26 March 2010, with visitors welcomed to observe the dig, as part of a visit to the neighbouring Nash’s House. The site is open to the public seven days a week until early September.

Admission prices, which include access to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and exhibition, Nash’s House and New Place, and Hall’s Croft are £12.50 for adults, £8.00 for children and £11.50 for concessions. For more details, please call +44 (0) 1789 292 325 or book online at www.shakespeare.org.uk

Ends.

Picture shows (l-r) Jonathan Parkhouse, Ian George, Paul Edmondson, Andrew Gurr, Stanley Wells, Kevin Colls, John Taplin, Richard Kemp, Kate McLuskie

Notes to editors: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, founded in Stratford in 1847, is the guardian of the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage sites, comprising Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. Offering a unique Shakespeare centred experience, The Trust is a truly global brand that has been attracting visitors to the houses since as early as the 17th century.

At the heart of all things ‘Shakespeare’, the Trust is not only at the forefront of academic learning, but also an iconic destination in the UK and the cornerstone of the region’s identity and tourism economy. The five houses offer a multi-layered experience for visitors unlike any other, giving people from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the life of the world’s greatest playwright, discover his work and experience a real sense of the times that influenced him here in Stratford.

The Shakespeare Houses and Gardens are winners of the Gold Award for ‘Best Tourism Experience in the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2009.

For further information about the houses, please visit www.shakespeare.org.uk

Birmingham Archaeology is the commercial arm of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham. It comprises three teams; Birmingham Archaeology Heritage Services, the Visual and Spatial Technology Centre (VISTA) and Birmingham Archaeo-Environmental (BAE). Each of the groups is responsible for the undertaking of commercial projects and services, the development of research projects and the delivery of postgraduate and professional training via taught Masters programmes and Continuing Professional Development workshops.

For further information and press enquiries
please contact: Jay Commins PRO Dig for Shakespeare
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mobile: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk