Archeologists Uncover New Details Of Shakespeare's Stratford Mansion

An archeological dig at the site of the Stratford-upon-Avon mansion that William Shakespeare called home for nearly twenty years has uncovered new details about the everyday life of the English language's greatest playwright, reports The Stratford Observer.

The home, called New Place, was purchased by the playwright in 1597, and he resided there with his wife, Anne Hathaway, until his death in 1616.

New findings have helped archaeologists determine the size of the house, and well as establish the location of the kitchen.

"The 'kitchen' not only had the 'oven' (or fire hearth) and 'fridge' (or cold storage pit), but the team also found evidence of the brew house where small beer was made (drunk instead of unsafe water) and where pickling and salting took place," the Observer reports.

Fragments of plates, cups and other cookware were also found.

The dig is being undertaken by Staffordshire University's Centre of Archaeology, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England, along with public donations raised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The house is planned to be opened to the public in July of 2016, three months after the 400th anniversary of the Bard's passing.

Julie Crawshaw, project manager of Shakespeare's New Place, says, "We have unearthed some significant archaeology which is all part of the story of New Place and its history. This will be shared in our exciting retelling of New Place, where visitors will be able to discover Shakespeare on the very ground where his family home stood, imagined through specially commissioned, extraordinary art works, creative landscaping, and newly curated exhibitions, all shedding new light on the story of Shakespeare in Stratford."

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Check out this video from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust about the restoration of New Place.