Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – The village of Drumelzier has lengthy been related to the legendary determine of Merlin, purportedly imprisoned, killed, and interred close to the banks of the River Tweed by a Darkish Age monarch. This affiliation is primarily derived from the “Vita Merlini Sylvestris,” a medieval narrative believed to have been composed in Glasgow in the course of the twelfth century.
In 2022, a staff of volunteers beneath the course of GUARD Archaeology initiated an investigation into the archaeological foundations of this native legend. The lately printed outcomes of their endeavors reveal a outstanding preservation of the early medieval cultural heritage of the Britons of southern Scotland.
Reconstruction of Tinnis Fort round AD 600. Credit score: illustration by Chris Mitchell
A geophysical survey recognized an archaeological function resembling a grave in shut proximity to the reputed location of Merlin’s burial web site at Drumelzier.
Excavations at Tinnis Fort, which overlooks the purported grave web site, revealed occupation in the course of the late sixth and early seventh centuries AD, coinciding with the temporal setting of the legend. The location reveals traits per a lordly stronghold of that period.
Additional excavations on the Thirlestane Barrows, located throughout the Tweed, uncovered the addition of a sq. barrow to a pre-existing group of Bronze Age spherical barrows. This addition, dated between the late third and late sixth centuries AD, contained the interments of two people of remarkable elite standing.
These findings don’t affirm the veracity of the native legend; somewhat, they exhibit that the Drumelzier narrative, which contains pre-Christian customs and historic Cumbric nomenclature, is related to native websites that archaeological proof now suggests may have plausibly given rise to the story. It’s extra possible that the legend originated in Drumelzier itself, doubtlessly as a folks reminiscence that was embellished over centuries earlier than disseminating extensively and present process vital transformations.
Thirlestane Sq. Barrow excavation © GUARD Archaeology Ltd
The Drumelzier’s Hidden Heritage challenge additionally uncovered proof of human exercise spanning a number of durations, together with the Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and medieval eras, suggesting the presence of quite a few native narratives past the Merlin legend.
Notably, a scatter of Late Mesolithic / Early Neolithic flint blade fragments was recovered from the summit of Tinnis, offering proof of a few of the earliest human presence on this distinguished hill. These historic guests would have noticed a Tweed Valley panorama markedly completely different from its present look.
Who was the true Merlin and the place is he buried? Credit score: Adobe Stock – byerenyerli
The vitrified ramparts at Tinnis provide proof of a Late Iron Age hillfort’s destruction, probably ensuing from conflicts between highly effective households vying for management and establishing early kingdoms.
Within the fourteenth century, the formidable Tweedies of Drumelzier constructed a citadel at Tinnis. This fortress was held on behalf of the Scottish monarchy from roughly 1366 till 1525, serving as a strategic protection towards incursions from England to the south.
See additionally: More Archaeology News
The proximity of a sq. barrow to a cluster of Bronze Age spherical barrows at Thirlestane, regardless of a temporal hole of two millennia, means that these monuments retained significance inside the cultural panorama. It’s evident that the inhabitants of historic Tweeddale maintained an consciousness of their predecessors and the historic context of their environment. This collective reminiscence was preserved and transmitted by means of the medium of native folklore, serving as a conduit for historic narratives.
It must also be added that some students steered that the legendary determine of Merlin could have originated from a Celtic druid referred to as Lailoken. Based on historic accounts, Lailoken purportedly acquired the present of prophecy subsequent to experiencing a psychological breakdown, which led to his withdrawal from society and subsequent habitation within the forest.
Moreover, a poetic work courting from roughly 600 A.D. makes reference to a Welsh prophet bearing the identify Myrddin, which can doubtlessly be linked to the Merlin of Arthurian legend.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Employees Author
