The Archaeology of Shakespeare : Material Legacy of Shakespeare's Theatre

The setting, staging and costuming of Shakespeare's plays illuminate many aspects of the texts and of contemporary social and cultural history.

This study investigates the material evidence that bears upon the theatre and theatrical presentation in Shakespeare's day.

The discovery in 1989 of the foundations of the Rose theatre, followed later in the year by the uncovering of the site of Shakespeare's own Globe theatre, have transformed our knowledge of the subject.

Jean Wilson assesses the results of these investigations in relation to what is known of the other theatres of London, and supplements her findings by the study of other contemporary art forms, especially tomb sculpture, an under-used body of material which throws light on the interiors and staging practices of Elizabethan playhouses.Chapters on the social and cultural background to the Elizabethan theatre, as well as on Shakespeare himself, provide the setting for the details of the "archaeology".

The text also includes nearly 90 illustrations of contemporary paintings, sculptures and buildings.