"Who were the first inhabitants of Britain, whether indigenous or immigrants, is a question involved in the obscurity usual among barbarians. Their temperament of body is various, whence deductions are formed of their different origin. Thus, the ruddy hair and large limbs of the Caledonians point out a German derivation. The swarthy complexion and curled hair of the Silures, together with their situation opposite to Spain, render it probable that a colony of the ancient Iberi possessed themselves of that territory. They who are nearest Gaul resemble the inhabitants of that country; whether from the duration of hereditary influence, or whether it be that when lands jut forward in opposite directions, climate gives the same condition of body to the inhabitants of both. On a general survey, however, it appears probable that the Gauls originally took possession of the neighboring coast. The sacred rites and superstitions of these people are discernible among the Britons." (Agricola 11, translated by Edward Brooks)
This physical description of the Caledonians is matched by an observation by Eumenius who wrote that both the Picts and the Caledonians had red hair. However we must be cautious and bear in mind that Tacitus does not reveal the identity of the language spoken by the Caledonians.
Another interesting passage from Agricola concerns the perceived shape of England and the island of Britain:
"Britain, the largest of all the islands which have come within the knowledge of the Romans, stretches on the east towards Germany, on the west towards Spain, and on the south it is even within sight of Gaul. Its northern extremity has no opposite land, but is washed by a wide and open sea. Livy, the most eloquent of ancient, and Fabius Rusticus, of modern writers, have likened the figure of Britain to an oblong target, or a two-edged axe. And this is in reality its appearance, exclusive of Caledonia; whence it has been popularly attributed to the whole island. But that tract of country, irregularly stretching out to an immense length towards the furthest shore, is gradually contracted in form of a wedge." (Agricola 10, translated by Edward Brooks)
This perception by the ancients of England or Britain as being diamond shaped is significant for the diamond is the shape of the Anglo-Saxon Ing rune and the Common Germanic Ingwaz rune. This rune is the rune of the God of the English, Ing. Indeed we have a mystery here for the association between the God of the English and the perceived shape of the homeland of the English are both encapsulated in this rune's shape. This is a powerful argument for the case that the English have always resided in Albion and that their supposed arrival in 449 CE was nothing other than a RETURN. One could thus argue that England or Britain is their Urheimat and not simply a territory colonised by Germanic tribes in the mid 5th century CE. To find therefore a people such as the Caledonians residing in the north of the island and being likened by Tacitus as Germans further strengthens the argument that these islands have always been in the possession of the Germanic peoples.
