Arthurian Archaeology

The legends of King Arthur and his knights of the round table at the Court of Camelot have been around for more than 1,000 years.  Even during the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine the stories o King Arthur were well known, and they were in part responsible for the Court of Love which was at her castle at Poitier.  Having always been fascinated by the stories of King Arthur and his knights got me wondering if there were any archaeological sites in England which are about Camelot and Arthur. 
    Surprisingly there is considerable information about archaeological research of King Arthur and Camelot.  What I found was that most of the work appeared to have happened in the 1960s and 70s. 
 











 Tintagel Castle


    Considering the writings of Monmouth from the 12th Century, Tintagel Castle in Cornwall was the place where Arthur was believed to be conceived and archaeological excavation began there in the 1930s for over 30 years.  From the site shards of pottery from the period of 450-700 BCE (believed to be the time of Arthur) were found and at first thought to be a Celtic monastery but under more recent investigation was thought to be a settlement, for the pottery shards are not local and so it is linked to the higher class who could afford to have it imported.  Unfortunately the graves which were found here empty.  It is possible that this place may have once been a fortress for the nobles of the time preferred to have their fortresses on hilltops.  So it is possible that this was a royal settlement, and maybe that of Uther.
  

There is another important site for the archaeological search for proof of King Arthur is in Cadbury.  As the South hill has been strongly associated with the Arthurian legends.  There archaeological excavation began in 1965.  There was found another fortress found which would have been occupied during the time of the Arthurian Legends. 
  
However I am with the writer of the paper on my interpretation.  Just because archaeologists have found settlements in the same area and at the right period does not mean the legend is true.  Instead I think that maybe part of the legend is true, it is possible that within the walls of Tintagel Castle and in the South hill of Cadbury there was a man who was a great warrior.  However today the legend of Arthur and his knights of the Round Table is nothing more than a fantasy with little being accurate of who the original person was.

From researching for this it made me seriously reconsider what aspects of history we take as "true" even if there is no evidence to prove it.  As well it also showed me how over 1,000 years the story of one, or possibly several individuals could be so dramatically changed.  This certainty has helped me to realize that although legends have a beginning from truth, what is true may not always be the part we want to be true.  For I am sure that everyone want the Knights of the Round Table to be true, but do not want the tale of Lancelot and Guinevere to be. 


Biehl Michelle L. 1991.  A Short History of Arthurian Archaeology, “Archaeology of Europe”URL: http://www.jammed.com/~mlb/arthur.html.