The Debated Location of Utumno's Ruins in the Third Age of Middle-earth

Where would the ruins of Utumno be located in the Third Age of Middle-earth? This article explores the vast and labyrinthine nature of Utumno and attempts to pinpoint its possible sites based on the enumerous descriptions in Tolkien's works.

Introduction to Utumno

Utumno, Melkor's fortress, is described as a vast network of tunnels, caves, halls, and vaults that span a significant portion of the far north in Middle-earth. Unlike Barad-d?r, which is a fortress at a specific location, Utumno represented a much more extensive and complex underworld realm with a particular emphasis on depth and expansion.

The Complexity of Utumno

Utumno was not confined to a single location; rather, it spanned a vast region. The Balrog's escape from Thangorodrim to the tunnels beneath Khazad-d?m is a testament to the immense and interconnected nature of Utumno. The Balrog's movement from the Dwarven tunnels to the gates of Angband, which are 150 leagues (450 miles/720 km) north of Doriath, highlights the sheer scale and complexity of Melkor's fortress. Even Angband, a significant part of Melkor's holdings, was only a small part of the entire network.

The Myths of Utumno

Many readers often equate Utumno with its visible gates, overlooking the true nature of Melkor's stronghold. Tolkien describes Utumno as a vast, hellish vault that extended deep underground. Similarly, the Halls of Mandos, another vast and underground place, share some of these characteristics. While the Halls of Mandos later evolved to resemble more of a cosmic dimension, Utumno remains a formidable and unsettling presence.

Possible Locations in the Third Age

Presumably, in the Third Age, the ruins of Utumno would be scattered in various locations. The Valar's destruction of Utumno's stronghold in the conflict with Melkor would have resulted in the destruction of many secret and hidden corners of the fortress. Sauron, as a servant of Melkor, likely knew many of these hidden places.

The specific locations of Utumno's ruins in the Third Age remain a matter of debate. Some theories suggest that the ruins could be found near the Misty Mountains or somewhat to the north of Gundabad. However, it is also possible that the ruins extend far into the north, beyond the Grey Mountains and the Iron Hills, which cannot be remnants of the Iron Mountains as they are described as being too distant from Utumno's true location.

According to Tolkien, the northern regions of Middle-earth were desolate and remained so for many years following the fall of Utumno. The area was marked by extensive underground passages filled with fires and great hosts of Melkor's servants. The remnants of Utumno's magnitude and depth make it highly plausible that its ruins would extend far into the icy, desolate lands of the north.

Based on Tolkien's detailed descriptions and the extensive nature of Utumno, we can infer that the ruins of this formidable fortress would be located in several significant points across the far north, deeply embedded into the earth and often rendered inaccessible due to the earth's transformations and the continuation of the divine wars.

Conclusion

The precise location of Utumno's ruins in the Third Age of Middle-earth remains a subject of speculation. However, the vast and intricate nature of Utumno suggests that its remnants would be deeply entwined with the geography and history of the far northern regions of Middle-earth.