"Hercules Identity and Army Role: Cerne Abbas Giant Mystery Unraveled"
New research by Oxford University academics suggests that the Cerne Abbas Giant, a chalk hill figure in Dorset, was originally carved to represent Hercules and served as a muster station for West Saxon armies. Previously thought to be prehistoric or more recent, the figure was actually created in the Anglo-Saxon period. The giant was later reinterpreted by local monks in the 11th Century to associate it with Saint Eadwold, their patron saint, to align with Christian beliefs and claim the saint's relics. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the figure's historical significance and are set to be published in the journal Speculum.