The Skull of Bede

The rediscovery of a 19th-century cast of Bede’s skull, derived from Dr James Raine’s 1831 excavation of Durham Cathedral, has reignited scrutiny over the authenticity of the remains and the antiquarian fascination with craniology during the mid-1800s. This study challenges long-held assumptions about the provenance of the skull, leveraging historical records and comparative analysis to assess its validity. By examining the context of 19th-century antiquarian practices, including the use of casts for scientific inquiry, researchers provide a critical perspective on how early craniology shaped archaeological interpretations.

Story, J., & Bailey, R. N. (2015). THE SKULL OF BEDE. The Antiquaries Journal, 95, 325–350. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003581515000244