At least back then, Disney knew how to make good movies.
Posted on 09/04/2024 11:09:48 AM PDT by Red Badger
Archaeologists revealed Tuesday that there may actually be some truth to the legend of Merlin and his death in Scotland.
The legend goes that Merlin, loyal advisor to King Arthur, was imprisoned in Drumelzier in the Dark Ages, before being killed and buried on the banks of the river Tweed, according to a study published in the journal Archaeology Reports Online. A geophysical survey revealed that there is a grave-like pit in the region. When archaeologists started digging, what they found seemed quite unexpected.
Excavations conducted at Tinnis Fort, which overlooks the area of Merlin’s grave in Drumelzier, found it was inhabited around the time of the legend (3rd to 6th century A.D.). Around this time, residents added to a series of Bronze Age round barrows (mounds made between 2200 B.C. and 1100 B.C.)
“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,” GUARD Archaeology CEO and project lead Ronan Toolis told The National.
The discovery doesn’t prove the story of Merlin is true but rather suggests the lore originated in the region. “Perhaps it originated as a folk memory, to be embellished over the centuries before it spread far and wide and changed out of almost all recognition,” Toolis added.
While most of us know Merlin as a prominent, respected individual, his legend in Drumelzier is quite different. Apparently he was a pitiful man, held captive by a mad tyrant, prone to muttering “nonsensical riddles and bewildering prophecies.” But wouldn’t you go a bit mad if some bloke locked you up in the middle of Scotland?
there is something akilter about this merlin story
(sorry but someone had to do it yah)
Whatever happened to the days on the web where Bruce Campbell, Christopher Walken, Ron Jeremy, Monty Python, et al were web gods? Almost all liked it, right and left. I want to see something like those days again.
At least back then, Disney knew how to make good movies.
Now I want to watch Excalibur for the bazillionth time.
( I do question the spelling of that unless it’s it not Welsh)
Her eyebrows and lips look absolutely fabulous on the battlefield where hand to hand combat is taking place.
There are reliable records of Roman’s fighting Druids however.
That MacArthur preacher guy believed he was a descendant. He was a Darbyist and a strange cat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.