Possible location of Merlin’s grave – GUARD Archaeology Ltd
British archeologists from Guard Archeology say they may have found the grave of Merlin, the wizard of legend who served King Arthur. While most historians agree there was likely no actual King Arthur, and certainly there were no wizards in ancient England, it is believed that the legends are based on a king who did live in the years after the Roman Empire withdrew from Britain more than 15 centuries ago.
Guard Archeology reported that a geophysics survey revealed that there is an archaeological feature resembling a grave near the reputed location of Merlin’s Grave at Drumelzier.
The legend of Merlin’s grave, located near Drumelzier Church on the Tweed’s east bank, dates back at least to the early 15th century, if not the 12th century when the original “Vita Merlini Silvestris” is believed to have been written.
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Excavations at Tinnis Fort, overlooking Merlin’s Grave, and the Thirlestane Barrows revealed compelling evidence supporting the local legend, explained the archeologists. Tinnis Fort, a lordly stronghold from the late 6th or early 7th century AD, aligns with the story’s timeframe. The Thirlestane Barrows, dating back to the Bronze Age with a significant square barrow added in the late 3rd to late 6th century, suggest a long history of elite burials in the area. These findings challenge the notion of a medieval tale imported from elsewhere. Instead, they point to the legend’s deep-rooted origins in Drumelzier itself, preserving a remarkable glimpse into the early medieval cultural heritage of southern Scotland’s Britons.
“The Drumelzier legend contains pre-Christian customs, ancient Cumbric names and was associated with local sites where archaeology now shows could credibly have given rise to the story,” GUARD Archaeology CEO Ronan Toolis, who led the project, told The National.
“Given how many hillforts there are in this neck of the woods, almost all of which are much earlier Iron Age settlements, it seems to be a remarkable coincidence that the one hillfort associated with this local legend, dates to exactly the same time as the story is set, especially when hillforts of the post-Roman period are quite rare,” he added.
