This is a highly entertaining and insightful read about a once in a lifetime archaeological excavation. Pitts writes in a friendly and informative manner which makes this a book that can be read with ease and should appeal to all interested in the subject. For an account of the discovery, subsequent analysis and the global media interest that followed, this is a must-read, and a very perceptive book. In his own homage to Shakespeare, rather than chapters, the book is sectioned into Acts. In Act I Pitts begins by introducing the reader to the background history surrounding Richard III and his death at the Battle of Bosworth, he then proceeds, in Act II, to introduce us to the geography of Leicester where his body was purported to have been buried. The eccentricity of the aims of the Richard III society are presented in contrast to the initial scepticism of the archaeological team from Leicester University, who, when they accepted the offer of funds to excavate a section of Greyfriars, had little idea of what they had let themselves in for.
Pitts is great at presenting the individual people behind the discovery in a way that makes them more central to the narrative than the King himself. This approach makes the book a refreshing and unusual read. In Act III we gain an insight into the process of the excavation, including how allowing a media presence can pose interesting dilemmas when all the team want to do is get their work done. In Act IV the information gained from the analysis of the recovered human remains is summarised, whilst Act V entitled ‘the inquest’ collates the evidence necessary to determine whether the remains are indeed those of Richard III. To finish, the epilogue presents us with a very modern tale of global news stories and competing ideologies, and details the fiasco that occurred in determining what should happen to the remains of a purported King of England, and who has the right to decide. Whilst we are all aware of the discovery from either the media reports, magazine articles or academic papers, for an unbiased account of the story as it unfolds this is a vibrant and informative read and perhaps an important lesson to all archaeologists.
Comparison with The Bones of a King: Richard III rediscovered
Read The Bones of a King: Richard III rediscovered review
Digging for Richard III: How archaeology found the King is very much a tale of the characters involved in the discovery of Richard III, and this makes it a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in the people and the processes behind the uncovering of archaeological evidence. In contrast, The Bones of a King: Richard III rediscovered is very much focused on Richard III himself. Whilst this book is not as entertaining a read as that of Pitts, it does give a further level of detail on the historical and archaeological information which makes reading the two books together worthwhile. Both are well written and informative, and whilst Pitts has a captivating and immensely readable style, that I’m sure all readers will enjoy, for more information on the interpretations from the researchers themselves The Bones of a King: Richard III rediscovered is the more detailed option.