Work is now underway to investigate the particular village worthy modelled by the clearly skilled medieval stone mason.
One villager noticed the distinct features of one of her neighbours but didn't want to be named.
"The hair's a bit odd, but those eyebrows and nose are a clear giveaway", she said.
The University are now considering a DNA study of older village residents in order to locate possible living relatives of 'Heddon Man'.
"We are making good headway in locating the origin of this ancient resident of Headon on the Wall", reads a University press release, under the headline, 'Anyone know this man?. At least now we have a good idea of how the village got its name."
Although a big headache of organisation, an annual 'Heddon Man' festival is a likely spin-off of this facinating study. I am imagining, local school children dressed up in Heddon Man masks and all manner of head-related festivities. Just need the agreement of the head-master, I suppose.
Watch this space.