Dumbdown hits English Heritage: "Merlin's face revealed (sic) at Tintagel Castle". "Merlin's face" has been carved into the rock face of Tintagel island in Cornwall right next to the cave bearing his anme, as part of ongoing re-interpretation and investment at the site. "The new artwork is the first part of a project by English Heritage to re-imagine Tintagel's history and legends across the island site".
There was a time when interpretation of archaeological sites in Britain involved informing the public of the results of research done there and what it means. Here it means Disneyland. How was "Merlin's face" reseaerched? On what basis was his physical appearance determined? Why is he asleep with open eyes? Did Merlin actually exist (evidence please English Heritage)? This is appalling. Its not even an epoxy resin cast attached to the rock with four concealed stainless steel bolts, but a permanent alteration of the site. Cue for members of the public to take hammers and chisels to the rocks of sites around the country to add their own "interpretations" as public archaeology.
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"There was a time when interpretation of archaeological sites in Britain involved informing the public of the results of research done there and what it means. Here it means Disneyland."
Interestingly, it's almost exactly 5 years since EH closed their public outreach department. Not to worry, we now have PAS doing it.
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