Science does it again. The date in 55 BC on which Julius Caesar is believed to have invaded Britain is wrong. Apparently, the English Channel was flowing the wrong way on the date in question.
On the day which corresponded closely to the traditional date for the invasion, Dr Olson carried out a basic experiment – dropping an apple into the sea off Deal pier at roughly the time of afternoon when Caesar described the fleet moving.
The apple floated south-west towards Dover, suggesting that the Roman fleet could not have travelled up to Deal from Dover on that day.
“The English Channel was flowing the wrong way,” said Dr Olson.
Which begs the question, why an apple? An homage to Sir Isaac Newton or was it just something that Dr Olson had handy at the time?
