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The drawing above is the oldest known drawing of the Long Man. it was made by a surbeyor, John Rowley, in 1710. it shoes the legs apart, and also facial features which are no longer visible. The head also has a shape reminiscent of a helmet. He has obviously been re-styled since this drawing. Here is a later photo taken before the feet were moved:
The most common tale about the giant is that the chalk drawing was an actual drawing of the giant himself. Some legends say that the giant is buried in the long barrow above the picture, and others claim that the drawing is an outline made of where he actually died, then he was buried in the long barrow. The cause of his death has been said to be a number of things, from a shepherd throwing his dinner at him, to tripping and falling, or being murdered by pilgrims!
There is even a legend of buried treasure associated with the Long Man. The legend goes that there is a Roman buried under him, in a solid gold coffin.
A legend with a Biblical reference claimes the giant was drawn before the flood.
Some people see the giant as a representation of a war god - which can be supported by the 1710 drawing, in which a seeming helmet is visible. Other people see the Long Man as a fertiltiy symbol. One pagan leader brought some couples to the Long Man in order to have sex on the figure, in the hopes that this would render them fertile.
Votive candles, coins, and bunches of flowers have been found all over the site, indicating the presence of modern-day pagans getting in touch with the energies of the site.
Another interesting note - naked people have often been seen wandering around the top of the hill by locals out for a stroll!
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