Volunteers clean England's Cerne Abbas Giant

The Cerne Abbas Giant, a massive 55-meter-tall naked figure etched into a hillside in southwest England, has undergone a thorough cleaning. Hundreds of volunteers recently worked to restore the chalk outline of the ancient figure, often referred to as the 'Rude Man'.

Liz Flight from the National Trust, a charity that protects cultural heritage, explained that the cleaning is typically done every decade. However, recent conditions prompted an earlier intervention. "We noticed that he was starting to look faded and needed some attention," Flight said.

While the last major overhaul was in 2019, increased winter rains washed away chalk, and more frequent heatwaves accelerated the growth of algae and weeds. These factors blurred the giant's distinct features, necessitating the volunteers' efforts.

The exact origins of the Cerne Abbas Giant remain unclear, but the National Trust suggests it was likely carved during the late Anglo-Saxon period, between 700 and 1100 AD. The figure is widely considered an ancient fertility symbol.