Hundreds of shoes were found in Roman fort of Vindolanda
Hundreds of shoes were found in Roman fort of Vindolanda | Photo: Vindolanda Charitable Trust
In the Roman fort of Vindolanda, more than 400 men’s, women’s and children’s size shoes were found. In total, more than 7,000 shoes from Roman times have been discovered at the excavation site, located in England between the rivers Tyne and Solway.
The shoes are about 1,800 years old and were used mainly indoors. These include covered shoes, sandals and bath clogs. The objects were found in a defensive ditch, along with pottery and the remains of cats and dogs.
According to specialists, the finds were thrown out by the army in 212 CE, when the legion withdrew from the camp due to battles with the British tribes from the north.
All found shoes are to be maintained. Scientists laugh that some of the excavated shoes (like the one in the photo) have a look very similar to today’s famous Adidas Predator soccer shoes.
- Vindolanda Roman Fort Yields Hundreds of Shoes, "Archaeology", 11 października 2016
