On 12 May 2021, Martin Papworth, National Trust senior archaeologist, announced that analysis of the deepest layer of sediment of the Cerne Giant had revealed that the figure was cut into the Dorset hillside in the late Saxon period, sometime between 700 and 1100AD.
Martin suggested that the carving of the Giant may therefore be linked to the founding in 987AD of Cerne Abbey and the monks’ attempts to convert the locals from the worship of the early Anglo-Saxon pagan deity Helith.
Further information about the dating of the Cerne Giant can be found on the National Trust website
Find out about Thomas Hardy’s interest in the Cerne Abbas Giant in our Spotlight on SDNQ