The Cerne Abbas Giant is an ancient hill figure located near the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England. Carved into the side of a steep hill, it depicts a naked, well-endowed male figure wielding a club. The figure is roughly 180 feet tall and is made by carving trenches into the underlying chalk bedrock and filling them with crushed chalk. The origin and purpose of the giant remain uncertain, with various theories suggesting it might be a fertility symbol, a depiction of the Greco–Roman god Hercules, or have connections to Celtic or pagan rituals. It’s also been associated with fertility rites due to its prominent features and its positioning near other ancient sites.
Cerne Abbas Giant is roughly 180 feet tall and made by carving trenches into the underlying chalk bedrock and filling them with crushed chalk
It is not agreed how old the Cerne Abbas Giant is, but some recent studies date the figure to around 700-1100AD which suggests the giant was first made by late Saxons. Phillip Toms, Professor in Physical Geography at the University of Gloucestershire, studied the samples using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), which shows when individual grains of sand in the sediment were last exposed to sunlight. Material taken from the deepest layer (1m) yielded a date range of 700-1100AD which suggests the giant was first made by late Saxons.
Some recent studies date the figure to around 700-1100AD which suggests the giant was first made by late Saxons
Gazing upon this iconic figure, one is immediately struck by its sheer size and commanding presence. Carved deeply into the chalk bedrock, the figure portrays a 180 feet tall naked male, adorned with exaggerated anatomical features. His muscular physique is outlined in striking clarity, every sinew and muscle delineated with deliberate strokes, while his prominent phallus stands as a testament to its significance or symbolism, shrouded in the mists of time. The lines that shape the figure are a blend of ancient precision and weathered erosion, a testament to the enduring passage of centuries. The careful trenches carved into the hillside have been filled with crushed chalk, ensuring that the Giant’s form remains a beacon against the backdrop of changing seasons and passing years. Maintained with care by the National Trust, the Giant continues to withstand the test of time, a testament to the craftsmanship of ancient hands and the enduring allure of historical mysteries.
