Archaeologists in the Roman fort of Magna, near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, have discovered a remarkably well-preserved leather shoe, measuring 32 centimeters in length – equivalent to a modern UK men's size 13. The unique find was recovered from the bottom of a narrow defensive trench designed to stop attackers.
Along with it, two more shoes and fragments of leather were found, which were well-preserved thanks to the oxygen-free environment. According to senior archaeologist Rachel Frame, the sole is made of several layers of leather, held together with straps, stitching, and nails. One of the shoes was almost completely intact and caused admiration among the excavation participants.
Fort Magna, part of the defensive system built by the Romans along the northern border of the empire in the 2nd century A.D., is the site of the discovery. The discovery is part of a project to understand climate change's impact on archaeological sites, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The shoe is undergoing conservation, providing a tangible connection to the past.
The footwear has already been handed over to specialists. Researchers hope that further analysis will allow them to learn more about the people who lived and served here nearly two thousand years ago.