Mystery Unveiled: Enormous 2,000-Year-Old Roman Shoe Discovered at England’s Ancient Fort—What Was It Used For?
The Roman-Era Shoe Found At Magna Fort
According to the Roman Army Museum & Magna Fort “dig diary,” archaeologists came across two (unrelated) shoes in May.
The first shoe that archaeologists found at Magna is in good condition. Its sole layers are intact, part of the heel is still attached, and there are hobnails in the outer sole. The toe of the shoe is missing, making it difficult to estimate its original size.
“This gives us a really good look at how Roman shoes were made: multiple layers of leather were used to form the sole, held together with thongs, stitching and hobnails,” the archaeologists wrote. “These also reinforced the outer surface for walking and are found on many styles of shoe.”
Vindolanda TrustThe first shoe found at Magna Fort is in surprisingly good condition, though it’s missing its toes.
The second shoe found at the site was more intact — and so large that it “drew impressed gasps from volunteers and staff alike.”
“Although in this case only one of the several sole layers [was intact],” the archaeologists stated, “the sheer size of the shoe and guesses about who could have worn it dominated the conversation.”
The shoe measured 12.6 inches long, the equivalent of a U.S. men’s size 14.
Though its size makes the shoe a unique discovery, volunteers at the site were excited about the artifact for another reason as well.
“It’s always exciting to find anything that hasn’t been touched for 2,000 years but a shoe is such a personal item; it really puts you in touch with the people who used to live at the fort,” one volunteer stated.
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