BBC News
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image captionScientists analysed soil from the Cerne Abbas Giant over a 12-month period
Archaeologists believe an ancient naked figure sculpted into a chalk hillside was created during the late Saxon period.
Soil samples from the Cerne Abbas Giant were analysed by scientists over 12 months to reveal the landmark s age.
The research also sparked a new theory that the Dorset giant was forgotten for generations after it was first sculpted and then later rediscovered.
Geoarchaeologist Mike Allen said the age result was not what was expected .
He said: Everyone was wrong and that makes these results even more exciting.