Marlinethe legendary magician of the Arthurian cycle, is a central figure of the british folklore who is said to have lived in Britain during the 5th century. His biography is enigmatic and is based mainly on literary storiesmaking it difficult to accurately determine his birth and death. Legends suggest that Merlin was fathered by a demon and a woman, or in some versions, he was simply born to his mother without male intervention. Geoffrey of Monmouth He identified him with Aurelius Ambrosius, elder brother of Uther Pendragon and therefore Arthur’s uncle. Throughout his life, Merlin became a spiritual guide and advisor to several kings, including the king arthur.
Merlin is considered one of the most powerful wizards in the Arthurian epic, capable of talk to animalstransform and control the weather. According to legend, Merlin met Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, who eventually imprisoned him in a tree, a cave, or a crystal cell. The story of King Arthur, closely linked to that of Merlin, begins when the king of britainin love with a married woman, receives the help of the magician to impersonate her absent husband and thus fulfill his desire. After the death of the husband, the king marries the woman and, fulfilling her promise, gives Merlin the son born of that union, Arthur.
Thanks to Merlin, Arthur manages to get the Excalibur sword from the rock and becomes Great King. Merlin guides him in governing him and founding Camelot. Later, the wizard is trapped by the Lady of the Lake in a crystal prison. An alternative version suggests that Merlin could be based on Myrddina Scottish warrior who, after losing his family in battle, became a hermit and was known as a sorcerer.
The legend of the wizard Merlin
The legend of the wizard Merlin has featured prominently in British and world folklore. Merlin, who according to legend was born from union between a woman and a demonhas been shrouded in mystery for centuries. However, a team of archaeologists from the University of Glasgow is working at Drumelzier, a site traditionally associated with Merlin’s tomb, in the hope of uncovering the truth about this enigmatic character.
Historically, the legend of Merlin has been attributed to two figures: the bard Lailokenadvisor to the Breton kings, and Ambrose Aurelianus, a Celtic hero who could have inspired the figure of King Arthur. The name Merlin was popularized by the Norman-Welsh clergyman Geoffrey of Monmouth, who was responsible for spreading the stories about Camelot. In his medieval manuscript, Vita Merlini Sylvestris (The Life of Merlin of the Wood), Geoffrey describes how Merlin would have been imprisoned by a Dark Age king and buried in the Drumelzier region on the banks of the River Tweed in the 7th century.
The Merlin’s real existence has been the subject of debate. Historian John Matthews, in his 2004 work “Merlin: The Wise Man at the Court of King Arthur,” argues that Merlin could have been a real historical figure. Matthews suggests that after a devastating war, Merlin voluntarily went into exile in the forest, where he lived in harmony with nature, which could have given rise to the legend of the wizard.
In 2022, a team of volunteers and archaeologists from the University of Glasgowunder the direction of GUARD Archeology, began investigating the Drumelzier area. Their goal was to unravel the mystery surrounding Merlin’s possible tomb. Archaeologists made important discoveries, revealing clues about the region’s medieval history and the era in which the legend of the magician is believed to have emerged. One of the most significant findings was the Fort Tinnisoccupied from the end of the 6th century to the beginning of the 7th century. This fort, from which you can see the site associated with Merlin’s tomb, may have served as an important stronghold in the early medieval period.
In addition, several burial mounds were found at Thirlestane, including a square one dated between the end of the 3rd century and the end of the 6th century. This type of mound is unusual for the time and different from the typical circular mounds of the Bronze Age. Researchers suggest that these monuments had special meaning for the ancient inhabitants, who passed down their history and legends through local folklore.
A particularly exciting aspect of the project has been the geophysical survey near the site associated with Merlin’s tomb. This study has revealed a archaeological training which could be a tomb, adding a possible touch of reality to the legend. Although it is still difficult to confirm whether this structure corresponds to Merlin’s tomb, its presence suggests that the wizard’s story could have some basis in reality.
