He was the powerful wizard of Arthurian legend whose final resting place is said to be on a Scottish hillside.
Now archaeologists believe they may have uncovered vital clues in the search for Merlin’s tomb.
An excavation team has found what appears to be a “prominent” burial site at Drumelzier, Peeblesshire, near a place called Merlin’s Tomb.
Myth and legend: Nicol Williamson as Merlin in the 1981 film Excalibur
Merlin’s grave marked on an old map of Peebles County from 1775
A 15th-century chronicle, The Scotichronicon, by Scottish historian Walter Bower, details Merlin’s “triple death” at the hands of shepherds.
He claims he was stoned and beaten before falling off a cliff, impaling himself on a stake and eventually plunging into the River Tweed and drowning.
Merlin is said to have been converted to Christianity by St Kentigern at Stobo Kirk, near Peebles, and according to accounts dating from the 18th century, was buried “a little below the churchyard” at Drumelzier, near Powsail Burn.
A geophysical survey conducted in 2022 revealed an archaeological feature resembling a tomb or pit near the site.
Arthurian Quest: An archaeological excavation at the Drumelzier site
The final report of an archaeological excavation carried out by volunteers has now been published.
The report states: “The Drumelzier Hidden Heritage project set out to investigate the archaeological roots of this local legend.” The report adds that there is evidence that “two individuals of exceptional elite status were buried” in the area.
Although no archaeological remains were discovered at the site marked as Merlin’s Tomb, the team did find a “distinctive anomaly to the southeast” that represents the “most likely candidate for a possible tomb near this location.” This, the team suggested, gave rise to the legend, which has been “kept alive in local folklore.”
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