Birmingham archaeologists in search of Shakespeare's house

Nov 30 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM archaeologists are to take part in their own Time Team dig when they go in search of Shakespeare’s house.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon has begun preparations for an archaeological excavation at the site of the Bard’s home, New Place, where he lived out his final years until his death in 1616.

The trust has teamed up with Birmingham Archaeology on a programme of trial trenching which will help to establish levels of deposit survival at New Place and quantify the potential for waterlogged conditions, which are favourable for preserving organic materials.

Initial findings from seven small inspection trenches suggest that structures and wells are present in some areas of the site. The final one will be investigated tomorrow.

New Place, which is one of five Shakespeare properties in and around Stratford, now exists only as a landscaped garden. Built in 1483 with innovative materials such as brick, it was controversially demolished by then owner, Rev Gastrell, in 1759.

However, it is thought that much of the original remains could still lie buried across the site.

For further information, visit www. shakespeare.org.uk