PROOF OF KING ARTHUR'S EXISTENCE??
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King Arthur and Tintagel
7-08-98
Archaeologists Find New Link Between King Arthur and Tintagel
LONDON (AP) -- A sixth-century piece of slate inscribed in Latin could more closely link the legendary King Arthur to his reputed birthplace at Tintagel Castle.
Researchers said Thursday they had unearthed a stone bearing a 1,400-year-old inscription resembling the name Arthur at Tintagel, a windswept ruin that sits on a rocky outcrop in southwest England.
Geoffrey Wainwright, chief archaeologist for English Heritage, a government-backed conservation agency that manages historic properties and advises on conservation policy, called the artifact ``a find of a lifetime.''
Although there is no evidence linking the stone directly with King Arthur, the slate is proof that the name Arthur existed during the era in which he reputedly lived, Wainwright said.
``It proves for the first time that the name existed at that time and that the stone belonged to a person of status,'' he said, adding that the discovery will ``enhance the strong Arthur legend.''
The slate, which measures 8 by 14 inches, bears the inscription ``ARTOGNOV,'' which is Latin for the British name Arthnou.
Archaeologists found it July 4.
The first connection between Arthur and Tintagel Castle was made by a Welsh author in the 12th century.
According to one story, Merlin the Magician disguised Arthur's father to allow him to enter Tintagel and seduce a duke's young wife, Arthur's mother. In another version, Arthur was found washed ashore by Merlin in a cave below the castle.
Today, the Tintagel area embraces the legendary connection with King Arthur. A local guidebook notes: ``Fact hereabouts is tremendously hard to separate from fiction.''
Copyright 1998& The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Perhaps the unearthing of the stone, bearing the 1,400-year-old inscription of King Arthur's name, is related to the - SOLAR ECLIPSE 1999 - FINAL QUEST
FOR THE HOLY GRAIL http://greatdreams.com/eclipse.htm
One year and three days from now, the great solar eclipse will strke land at Cornwall, where Tintagel is located.
Anybody believe in portents?
Joe Mason