CARDIFF, Wales, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A Welsh academic says it's likely the Holy Grail -- the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper -- is in Wales, not Scotland.

The popular novel, "The Da Vinci Code," named Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh as the relic's final resting place but Grail expert Juliette Wood of Cardiff University said the Scotland theory only goes back about two decades and likely is wrong.

Stories about the Grail go back to King Arthur. Wood told the Western Mail there is evidence going back to the 14th century that the Grail traveled to Wales.

"Wales has Arthurian romances which refer to the Grail, but Scotland doesn't have that," Wood said. "There are a number of Holy Grail romances written in Scotland but currently there hasn't been anything found in Gaelic."

By contrast, there are numerous Celtic stories and myths related to the Grail.

Wood says, however, she doubts the Grail ever actually existed.

"It's a medieval fiction that developed in the context of Christianity," she said.

"We like mystery and the Grail is so very compelling because there is just not enough information to tie it down and that's what we like about it."

Source: United Press International