If you like #Shakespeare and / or #Wrestling, then you don’t want to miss #BARDCORE. A Midsummer’s Night Dream like you’ve never seen it before! 10th May, at Lakeside Theatre, #Nottingham 🎭

Book tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bardcore-m...

8) the faunal composition from the playhouse sites was very different to that of the baiting arenas. They had more domestic food animals and fewer dogs and horses.

7) we know from archival work and the archaeological remains that these excavations uncovered the sites of @roseplayhouse.bsky.social and @shakespearesglobe.bsky.social plus 4 different baiting arenas - Payne’s Standings, Bear Garden 3a, The Hope and Davies dating c.1540-1680

6) the horse bones had been gnawed by carnivores, and so had the bear and dog bones. Conclusion: after death the animals were fed to one another. Stable isotope data (C and N) confirmed that dogs and bears had very similar diets.

5) large numbers of horse bones were found at the sites. They had extensive age-related pathologies and very worn teeth. Most likely knackered horses imported to Bankside (Southwark) as dog and bear food.

3) the bears were all over 4 years of age, suggesting cubs were not used in baiting (or at least did not die until they were older). If they were not being baited - where were they? Maybe dancing or on stage?

We examined animal bones from multiple sites in Southwark, London using a variety of techniques including zooarchaeology - species, age, size, injuries and stable isotopes - diet. We found that:

1) the dogs were largely 2-3 years of age, with no evidence of puppies (but few sites were sieved).

Our @ukri.org AHRC-funded project draws together archaeological and archival info to learn more about the #earlymodern ‘sport’ of bear baiting where dogs were set on bears for human entertainment. 🏺🧪

All prepped and ready to speak to the Southwell Community Archaeology Group about the long history of bears in Britain. Includes #archaeology #history #bears #bones and #BoxOfficeBears

We’re delighted with the booklet based on Clerkinworks’ #LGBTQ+ creative writing workshops. The stories are tender, powerful and engaging, and all based around the methods and results of the #BoxOfficeBears project. Get in touch if you’d be interested in hosting workshops in your area.