Standing proud

Rob Ixer finds surprising answers to the age of Dorset’s famous priapic giant

A Date with the Two Cerne Giants Reinvestigating an Iconic British Hill Figure ed. Michael J Allen Oxbow Books 2024 Pb, 376pp, £24.95, ISBN 9781914427374 Despite the “excited young man” being sky-clad and seemingly baring all, he has retained a metaphorical (and possibly physical) mantle of mystery. The first half of this book on the National Trust excavations in 2020 describes, in enormous detail, the archæological field work and excavations, literally to shine a light on some of the quandaries. Most especially when and how he was created, but also providing partial answers as to why, plus how he was able to appear and disappear for centuries, whilst shape-shifting and slowly moving downhill. The archæological investigation of a seemingly simple chalk-cut figure that has been refreshed/rechalked on a number of…

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Fortean Times (Digital) - 1 Issue, 452

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