Researchers unearth new evidence to reveal Cerne Abbas Giant’s Herculean past
New research from the University of Oxford has revealed that the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant— a chalk hill figure etched into the landscape of a quaint Dorset village— was not a prehistoric relic but served a strategic purpose during the turbulent Anglo-Saxon period.
Spearheaded by Helen Gittos, Associate Professor in Early Medieval History, at the University of Oxford, and Tom Morcom, Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo, the research sheds light on the giant’s true identity, shattering the commonly-held belief that the Chalk Hill figure was a symbol of prehistoric origin.
The team unearthed new evidence indicating that the figure was originally carved as an image of the Classical hero Hercules, serving as a rallying point for mustering West Saxon armies, in the early medieval era.
“It’s become clear that the Cerne Giant is just the most visible of a whole cluster of early medieval features in the landscape,” said Helen Gittos, in a statement. The giant’s role as a muster station for West Saxon armies during a time of Viking incursions adds another layer of complexity to the iconic figure.
Hercules and the Anglo-Saxon battlefield
The research further underscores the significance of Hercules in the Middle Ages. The equally revered and reviled classical hero experienced a spike in interest during the ninth century— coinciding with the period when the Cerne Abbas Giant was carved.
The topographical location of the giant, strategically positioned on a spur with impressive views and proximity to major routeways, is characteristic of a special type of Anglo-Saxon meeting place.
During the tenth century, Cerne came under the control of the ealdormen of the Western Provinces. These prominent aristocrats owned land and served kings in the south-west, who were attacked by the Vikings.
These attacks, coupled with access to abundant fresh water and local supplies, made the Cerne Giant’s hillside location an ideal mustering point for West Saxon armies. The presence of Hercules in this landscape served as a symbolic backdrop, reinforcing the local forces against external threats.
A Giant’s evolution through time
Over the years, interpretations of the Cerne Abbas giant have evolved. In the eleventh century, the monks residing in the monastery at the foot of Giant Hill reimagined the figure as Saint Eadwold, aligning him with their own religious beliefs. The lessons read on Eadwold’s feast day referred to the giant, solidifying this reinterpretation.
“The Giant’s identity was already open to reinterpretation,” said Tom Morcom. “The monks of Cerne wouldn’t have portrayed their patron saint as naked if they were carving him from scratch,” he added.
However, they embraced the existing figure, seamlessly incorporating it into their religious practices. “The Giant has long been loved and looked after and such reidentifications continue into the present day,” Tom added.
As its true identity is re-imagined and sought after, the giant stands stoically on the Dorset hillside, a silent witness to the changing tides of time, from West Saxon armies to the monks of Cerne.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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Researchers unearth new evidence to reveal Cerne Abbas Giant’s Herculean past