In a report published in Speculum, the journal of the Medieval Academy of America, Helen Gittos and Tom Morcom, academics from the University of Oxford, argue that the Cerne Giant is an image of Hercules, a symbol of might and courage. This conclusion is based on a detailed analysis of the giant’s characteristics, including the club he holds above his head, his left hand held out, and the possibility that he was once depicted with a mantle draped over his left arm.
The Cerne Giant is a colossal chalk figure carved into a hillside in Dorset, England, measuring 180 feet (55 meters) in height. It has long been a subject of curiosity and debate among scholars, with various theories proposed about its origins and meaning.
Gittos and Morcom’s analysis suggests that the Cerne Giant’s depiction is consistent with representations of Hercules, the Greek hero known for his immense strength and his club, which he used to slay monsters and perform his famous Twelve Labors. The researchers also note the similarity between the giant’s left hand gesture and the way Hercules is often depicted holding out his hand, either in greeting or in a sign of power and authority.
Furthermore, the researchers suggest that the giant may have once been depicted with a mantle or cloak draped over his left arm, a common attribute of Hercules in classical art. This detail, they argue, could have been lost over time as the chalk figure weathered and eroded.