The Real Camelot.

Camelot is on the map as "Cadbury Castle", situated at the village of South Cadbury, 11 miles from Glastonbury, the Isle of Avalon. First written use of Glastonbury being "Avalon" C. AD 946. This probably is the ancient Camelot, but it is not the type of "castle" which comes to mind when talking of them; it is a fortified town rather than a castle or fort. Near here was found a hastily dug mass grave of men and boys, evidently fallen in battle. It could be the grave of the fallen of the battle of Camlann, Arthur's last battle which may have been fought to defend this castle from the Saxon invaders. "Camlann" maybe the original British/Celtic name for this place. Arthur would have possibly known it by that name, not Camelot. Cambolanda: "Crooked enclosure", or "bank." A possible reference to the nearby river with the Celtic name, "Cam". The name "Camelot" maybe French, and originate from a 12th century interpretation of the old name. The stories of Arthur are British, but probably imported into Brittany. Camelot is near two villages: Queen Camel and West Camel, both post- dating this mysterious site. The documented battle, Mount Badon, or "Mons Badonicus" in which Arthur defeated the Saxons is in the next county, Wiltshire, at Liddington, another 'fort'. It has the Saxon name "Badanburh", Celtic/British name "Badan". It stands on a sort of dark-age front-line between the Saxons and the Britons. The battle has been calculated, to have been fought in AD 499. The earliest reference of Cadbury being Camelot, has now been pushed back to an earlier time than that of John Leland, writing in 1542, who was thought to be the first to call this place Camelot, writing of it as such from his study of folklore, etc., but now we know it was named from a much earlier date. During the years 1966-1970 an archaeological excavation was carried out here. As well as finding that this place was used from the Neolithic period, 5,000 years ago, It also found that it was occupied during the Iron-age, when it is likely that the first fortifications were laid. These were just earth banks fortified with huge boulders, dressed to shape. The Occupants were of the Durotriges tribe. Between AD 60-70 the Roman army laid siege to the castle and massacred most of its residents, evicting the rest. Evidence of Roman occupation of the Fort after the massacre have been found. Their military occupation of Britain ceased around AD 410. Thereafter the castle was largely unoccupied until the time of King Arthur, (circa AD 469) Archaeology has established features UNIQUE to the Arthurian period, and to this site, even though other "Forts" of this type were reused during the time. This is also the largest re-fortified site: 18 acres. Arthur may have been the "Riothamus" of history, who led military campaigns throughout Britain and Gaul, modern France, at the right time; there is no proof that he died there, only conjecture. Riothamus is not a name but a title and means "King of the Britons" in modern English. It may explain the numerous "Arthur" place names in the UK. This site in Somerset was most likely to have been his home-base. It would have had huge earth embankments, ditches and dykes, with a colossal palisade fence with watchtowers on the topmost rampart. These images show ditches, dykes, and the two gateways. The mound in the SW corner of the Fort, named "Arthur's Castle" is shown; on it was found evidence of a large feasting hall of Arthur's time. Views from the fort, towards Beacon hill, and views of the castle from the Beacon itself, at Sunset, are seen here also. Images from two visits are shown. The last two photos here are of the site of King Arthur's tomb, in Glastonbury abbey. His remains, with his queen, were found in AD 1191, and resited in front of the High altar in AD 1278. Glastonbury is the renowned Isle of Avalon, topographically and historically it is actually well deserving of the name. It's only 11 miles from this castle, and a pathway called "Arthur's Causeway" leads to and from the Isle of Avalon. The claim that landlocked "Avallon" in Burgundy, France, maybe Avalon is untenable for many reasons. . GHOSTS! People living near hear report hearing ghostly sounds of battle on some nights, and Arthur & his knights, legend says, can be heard riding back from Avalon on Midsummer's eve, and the night of the full-Moon. News cuttings from 1966-70: http://travel.webshots.com/album/552246558eCMyHM Camelot is not in Cornwall, though Arthur may well have been born at Tintagel; it is not at the Scottish borders, in Wales, nor in France. It is here in Somerset in the SW of England, proven by archaeology and very strong folklore. Just one more thought ; many think Camelot a "myth", but the city of Troy was thought a "myth" until in the 19th century, the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann confirmed its existence