He was the mighty wizard from Arthurian legend. It is said that he has his final resting place on a Scottish hill.
Archaeologists now believe they have found important clues in the search for Merlin’s tomb.
An excavation team has discovered what is believed to be a ‘significant’ burial site in Drumelzier, Peeblesshire, close to a site called Merlin’s Grave.
Myth and Legend: Nicol Williamson as Merlin in the 1981 film Excalibur
Merlin’s grave is marked on an old map of Peebles County from 1775
A 15th-century chronicle, The Scotichronicon, by Scottish historian Walter Bower, details how Merlin died three times at the hands of shepherds.
It is alleged that he was stoned and beaten, after which he fell from a cliff, impaled himself on a stake and eventually fell into the River Tweed and drowned.
Merlin is said to have been converted to Christianity by St Kentigern at Stobo Kirk near Peebles. According to 18th century accounts he was buried ‘a little below the churchyard’ at Drumelzier, near the Powsail Burn.
A geophysical survey in 2022 revealed an archaeological feature that appeared to be a grave or pit near the site.
Arthurian Quest: An Archaeological Dig at the Drumelzier Site
The final report of an archaeological dig carried out by volunteers has now been published.
It says: ‘The Drumelzier’s Hidden Heritage project was established to investigate the archaeological roots of this local legend.’ The report adds that there is evidence that ‘two individuals of exceptional elite status are buried’ in the area.
Although no archaeological remains were discovered at the site marked Merlin’s Grave, the team found a ‘distinct anomaly to the south-east’ which represents the ‘most likely candidate for a possible grave near this location’. This, the team suggested, gave rise to the legend, which has been ‘kept alive in local folklore’.