Evidence of Merlin’s Tomb Discovered in Scotland: Was King Arthur’s Magical Advisor Real?

There may be some truth to the Merlin myth.

On Tuesday, archaeologists in Scotland discovered evidence of the legendary wizard’s death at Drumelzier between the 6th and 7th centuries – and the findings could change the way we tell the tale of Merlin.

Merlin is said to have been a loyal advisor to King Arthur in the middle of the Dark Ages before being imprisoned, killed and buried along the River Tweed, according to the Vita Merlini Sylvestris (Life of Merlin of the Forest), a medieval manuscript of his life. currently held in the British Library.

A new geological survey of the region, near the site of Tinnis Castle, revealed a grave-like pit.

Further excavations showed signs of habitation during Merlin’s supposed lifetime.

“The Drumelzier legend contains pre-Christian customs, ancient Cumbric names and was associated with local sites where archeology now shows could plausibly have given rise to the story,” lead researcher Ronan Toolis told the National.

According to Toolis, who serves as CEO of GUARD Archeology in Glasgow, such a prominent burial structure in this region would have been “quite rare” for the period to which it dates. “It seems to be a remarkable coincidence that a hill fort associated with this local legend dates from exactly the same time as the story is set,” he noted.

The results of the study, two years in the making, were published last week in Archeology Reports Online.

“The new archaeological evidence does not prove that the local story was true, but instead shows that the legend likely originated in Drumelzier itself, rather than being brought here by a wandering medieval storyteller who roped in various random locations nearby,” Toolis explained. “Perhaps it originated as a popular memory, to be embellished over the centuries before it spread far and wide and changed beyond all recognition.”

Finding them helps[to paint] a much darker take” of the wise and venerable Arthurian figure, Toolist said. “That of a rather painful fellow, prone to uttering meaningless riddles and perplexing prophecies, and held prisoner by a small dark tyrant of a forgotten kingdom, before dying a horrible death, the victim of royal intrigues.”