Mystery of Cerne Abbas Figure Finally Solved

A medieval history journal has published a new study claiming that a huge, 180-foot (55 meter) chalk figure etched on a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England is in fact the ancient Greek demigod Hercules.

Cerne Abbas and the Giant Chalk Hercules

For decades, researchers have been concerned with the meaning and origin of the enormous chalky figure astride a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas. Many explanations have been proffered as to who the figure depicts, but a new study published in the medieval history journal Speculum claims to have solved the mystery.

The answer to this consternation-inducing question, the new study claims, is that the human chalk figure adorning the Cerne Abbas hillside is none other than Hercules, the ancient Greek hero.

Years of Speculation Over Cerne Abbas Hercules

The peculiar white outline of the hillside hero shows a strong man wielding a large club in his right hand, while his left arm is outstretched and his penis erect. Since the distinctive chalk man, known as the Cerne Abbas giant, was discovered, historians and researchers have been debating its true identity.

A previously offered explanation was that it portrayed an ancient British sky god named Helith, who is believed to have been worshipped in prehistoric Britain. Others argued the giant humanoid was etched much more recently and that it served as a tribute to English parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell.

Another theory stated that the figure portrayed Saint Eadwold, a ninth-century prince who lived as a hermit in the region and was chosen as the patron saint of Cerne sometime after his death.

The New Study

In the new study, academics Tom Morcom and Helen Gittos from the University of Oxford claim that none of the previous theories put forward fit the known facts.

They argued that the only explanation that makes sense is that the enormous nude club bearer etched in chalk is actually the famous Greek hero Hercules, whose courageous quests and god-like strength formed the historical template for modern superheroes such as Superman and Captain Marvel.

Arguing the Case for the Cerne Abbas Hercules

A press release from the University of Oxford’s faculty of history said: “Research undertaken by Martin Papworth for the National Trust, showed that the giant was carved in the Anglo-Saxon period not, as most people thought, in prehistory or more recently, yet the reason why he was made has remained a mystery.”

“Now, Helen Gittos and Tom Morcom, academics from the University of Oxford, have worked to uncover the early medieval history and archaeology of the area to understand why this chalk hill figure was carved on the hillside of what is now a sleepy Dorset village,” it was said.

According to the press release, “Their research shows that he was originally carved as an image of the Classical hero Hercules as a rallying point for mustering West Saxon armies at a time when Dorset was being attacked by Viking armies.”