Digging for Britain

The programme “A Cornish Legend and an Ancient Wishing Well” follows a team of archaeologists as they investigate St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall. Their aim is to uncover evidence that the site once served as the legendary trading hub known as Ictis.

The episode, titled A Cornish Legend and an Ancient Wishing Well, is a television programme that presents a focused investigation into a long‑standing myth from Cornwall. It is structured as a single instal­ment, fitting within the broader genre of documentary‑style archaeology, and it centres on the interplay between local folklore and the physical landscape of the county. At the heart of the broadcast is a team of archaeologists who set out to uncover material proof that St Michael’s Mount may have once served as the legendary trading centre known as Ictis. Their work is driven by the question of whether the mount’s strategic position aligns with the descriptions of the ancient market island, and they pursue any clues that might substantiate that connection. The programme weaves this scholarly quest together with the surrounding legend of an ancient wishing well, using the well as a narrative touchstone that highlights the cultural resonance of the site. By following the archaeologists’ search for evidence, the episode offers viewers a glimpse into how modern scientific inquiry can intersect with, and potentially validate, stories that have been passed down through generations in Cornwall.