Kevin Colls, who is the project manager for Staffordshire University's Center of Archaeology, utilized radar imaging to determine that Shakespeare's “head end” was “completely different” from other graves at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
It is believed that the skull may have been stolen in 1794 by a local doctor, Frank Chambers. The robbery may have been the result of a bet placed by politician Horace Walpole, who offered £300 for Shakespeare's skull.
Colls told the Times, “There were a lot of thefts of famous people’s graves in an attempt to see why that person was a genius. I imagine that Shakespeare would have been a very worthy target.”
There is some skepticism to whether the skull is missing. Colls, however, said, “We’re reasonably confident that there's a good chance that William's skull is no longer there.” Where the skull ended up remains a mystery.
