How Old Is The Cerne Abbas Giant In Dorset
At last, the giant naked man carved on a Dorset hillside has been dated. Or has he?
The Cerne Giant who stands fully erect holding a club in his right hand, complete with his perky manhood too!
A fertility symbol is one idea for the Cerne Abbas Giant Dorset.
Measuring from club head to toe some 60 metres (180ft) the carving is still not giving away too much even now.
The chalk figure carved into Dorset hill had a make-over a few years ago and following that tests were carried out and he now appears to be from the late Saxon age. Or around 700 AD to 1100 AD.
Just How Old Is The Cerne Abbas Giant?
Mike Clark from the Cerne Historical Society said: “Some claim he is an ancient symbol, perhaps a likeness of the Greco-Roman God Hercules, though the earliest recorded mention of the Giant only dates from 1694.”
Cerne Abbas Giant Dorset.
Owned by the National Trust an expert in Physical Geography Professor Phillip Toms of the University of Gloucestershire, used Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) to study the sediment samples. They indicated when the individual grains deeper in the ground were last exposed to sunlight.
Material samples extracted from as far down as one metre yielded a date range of 700 AD – 1100AD suggesting that the giant was first carved out in the latter Saxon period.
Located on a very steep, high quality chalk grassland, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Families helped to repair the Cerne Abbas Giant in 2019.
There is an abundance of wildflowers growing there. These include, orchids, thyme, marjoram and small scabious. Plus, it is an important site for butterflies. Including the Marsh Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy.
Rare Butterflies And A Site Of Special Scientific Interest
Finding out its exact age should now be welcome for it has truly baffled many scientists and historians.
Volunteers repairing the huge carving. Cerne Abbas Giant Dorset.
There were claims that it was of Oliver Cromwell or an earlier God. With dates being banded around as being from a much earlier or even post medieval period.
These latest findings mean that he is not prehistoric or even Roman.
Careful where you stand! Cerne Abbas Giant.
The period identified does place him at an interesting period of history for the local area.
Cerne Abbey was founded right in the middle of those dates so that could have a bearing on it?
Some other samples taken with the permission of Historic England and the Secretary of State came up with alternative results. Taking the date closer to the first documented record of the giant as it being around 1694.
Yes its 36 feet long! The Cerne Abbas Giant.
A regional survey taken in 1617 around the county also made no mention of the giant. And thoughts are too. Would a large religious community allow a huge naked man to be displayed on a hillside clearly in daily view of the Abbey?
Another idea being put forward, is that the carving was overgrown in time and the outline was again spotted in the 17th century. This could explain it not being around at the time of the survey.
The Cerne Giant comes under the National Trust.
The one thing that he is renowned for around the world…is that it’s a staggering 36 feet long!
