The Cerne Abbas Giant was probably first constructed in the late Saxon period, according to new analysis which has surprised archaeologists and historians.
The 180ft (55m) naked chalk figure brandishing a giant club overlooks the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset.
Its origins and purpose have been shrouded in mystery, but experts can for the first time reveal the likely age of the giant.
The Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset (Ben Birchall/PA)
Following state-of-the-art sediment analysis, National Trust archaeologists have concluded the giant was probably first constructed in the late Saxon period.
Independent geoarchaeologist Mike Allen, whose research is helping the Trust understand more about the landscape in which the giant was created, said the result is surprising.
BBC News
Published
image captionScientists analysed soil from the Cerne Abbas Giant over a 12-month period
Archaeologists believe an ancient naked figure sculpted into a chalk hillside was created during the late Saxon period.
Soil samples from the Cerne Abbas Giant were analysed by scientists over 12 months to reveal the landmark s age.
The research also sparked a new theory that the Dorset giant was forgotten for generations after it was first sculpted and then later rediscovered.
Geoarchaeologist Mike Allen said the age result was not what was expected .
He said: Everyone was wrong and that makes these results even more exciting.
THE likely age of Dorset s Cerne Giant has been revealed for the first time - and it has come as a surprise to historians. Archaeologists at the National Trust have been analysing sediment taken from the carving - considered to be Britain’s largest and perhaps best-known chalk hill figure. Generations have speculated about the age and meaning of the club-brandishing giant hewn into a Dorset hillside with some theories including it being a depiction of the legendary demi-god Hercules, an ancient fertility symbol, or even the soldier and statesman Oliver Cromwell. Another theory is that the figure was carved around the body of a giant who was slain by local people after he terrorised the countryside.
Cerne Abbas Giant surprises scientists as they work out its age
“Everyone was wrong, and that makes these results even more exciting,”
The Cerne Abbas Giant which was probably first constructed in the late Saxon period, according to new analysis which has surprised archaeologists and historians. The 180ft (55m) naked chalk figure brandishing a giant club overlooks the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset
Sign up to the Grimsby Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking newsInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up here!
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
THE likely age of Dorset s Cerne Abbas Giant has been revealed for the first time - and it has come as a surprise to historians. Archaeologists at the National Trust have been analysing sediment taken from the carving - considered to be Britain’s largest and perhaps best-known chalk hill figure. Generations have speculated about the age and meaning of the club-brandishing giant hewn into a Dorset hillside with some theories including it being a depiction of the legendary demi-god Hercules, an ancient fertility symbol, or even the soldier and statesman Oliver Cromwell. Another theory is that the figure was carved around the body of a giant who was slain by local people after he terrorised the countryside.