Archaeologists have uncovered a doorway in St. George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, that may have been used by William Shakespeare. The discovery was made during major conservation efforts at the Guildhall, when creative director Tim FitzHigham noticed a “weird shape in the wall.”

Upon closer examination, the boards were removed to reveal an archway. According to FitzHigham, “It has got to be pre-1405 as the hall’s medieval roof is held up above it.”

Further investigation revealed the arch to be the entrance to a room believed to be the Guild Robing Room, where high-ranking Guild members dressed in their finery before attending feasts upstairs.

“This is another mind-boggling discovery at the Guildhall,” said FitzHigham. “We’ve got a door that would definitely have been here in the years we think Shakespeare played here and, in all likelihood, was the door to a room where the players changed and stored props.”

“It is simply staggering that again a slight hunch or weird shape in the wall has turned out to be something frankly extraordinary,” he added.

This latest discovery follows a similar one made last year, when researchers uncovered boards beneath the flooring of St. George’s Guildhall dating back to the early 15th century, which could have been walked upon by Shakespeare.

The earliest recorded production at the Guildhall was a nativity play in January 1445, according to Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust. The Queen’s Men, a prominent acting company in London formed in 1583, performed at the venue numerous times throughout the late 1500s.

Shakespeare himself is believed to have visited the Guildhall in 1592 or 1593, when he and his acting company were touring King’s Lynn. This occurred during a plague outbreak that forced the closure of London’s theaters.

Shortly after, Shakespeare joined the acting company Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men.

Archaeologist Johnathan Clarke believes the archway never had a door in its frame and instead served as a privacy barrier for performing actors. “This 15th century doorway appears to have provided access to a medium sized low status room, and not to have ever had a door closing up the arch; it may have been made private with a simple hanging when required,” said Clarke.

“It is the type of room where traveling groups of players might change due to its location within the Guildhall. It would have given them a private space where they could put things, change and then travel up the staircase to appear on the first floor in their costume,” he added.