Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Agraes]

Except things are not that easy. Just read South Cadbury excavation reports. The campaigns were very carefully planned, they cost much and archaeologists have to find some fundings before digging. Alcock excavated the areas he thought the most significant. There is clearly a potential under the earth there, but we can't know what can be found. The soil is not very akin to a good preservation, and the land was cultivated for centuries, both damaging the potential remains.
Tintagel saw its last digging campaign in the 90's so that's somewhat recent. The evidence from those two sites is however very important and satisfaying. Archaeology is not treasure hunting. You don't dig to find king Arthur's burial or the full equipment of a 5th century briton warrior. It is possible to do some exceptionnal discoveries, but what the most important remains the context in which they were made. Sure we all would like to see more artifacts from those sites, but that's biaised. For the average re-enactor, the spearhead, the brooch or the buckle is more interesting than the postholes!

Among other things, South Cadbury excavations show us a major hillfort refortified in the late 5th/early 6th century by someone who had a very significant power. We now have evidence of the walls, door, and very possibly of a feasting hall where warriors and nobles drunk their eastern wine in exotic ware or glass, akin to the scenes described in Y Gododdin. At Tintagel was found a very important evidence for trade with the eastern roman empire and Mediterranea. Plus the evidence of a latin litterate society in 5-6th century Dumnonia.

That's not 'arthurian'. That's still an impressive achievment.

To add something on that word, even Leslie Alcock whom called his famous book Arthur's Britain, explained a few decades after why he did so in the climate of the 70's. By that time Arthur was mostly considered as an historical figure. Then the texts were examined by very critic eyes such as Padell or Dumville and Arthur was considered as a mythical figure by most scholars. I would be a tenant of the 'in-between' view. Lots of arthurian enthusiasts remain anyway...

If you want to have a look at an interesting digging, just follow those scheduled this year for the 410-2010 anniversary. The ungoing campaign at Vindolanda fort is very promising. Last year were found a 5th century portable christian altar and some post-roman weaponry and inscriptions. Given the excellent state of preservation of previous Vindolanda finds we could hope for some revolutionnary finds there.