Giant Shoe Find Dates to Roman Times

By Faun Grey

Image: Vindolanda Charity Trust

. The huge shoes, measuring equivalent to a modern European size 49 or American size 15, were unearthed at the Magna Roman Fort in Northumberland, England, during excavations conducted by researchers from the Vindolanda Charity Trust.

The shoes, approximately 2,000 years old, were discovered within a trench that researchers believe served as an ancient waste disposal site.

The total discovery comprised eight shoes, representing one of the most significant collections of such oversized footwear ever uncovered in a single location.

Lead archaeologist Rachel Frame described the discovery as "highly extraordinary" and highlighted that the research team was currently investigating which military units might have been based at the fortress and the reason behind such an unexpected concentration of large-sized footwear compared to other sites.

The remarkable state of conservation found in these shoes was particularly noteworthy.

"The preservation of organic materials like wood, leather, and textiles requires particular environmental conditions with minimal oxygen exposure to endure for such an extended period," Frame explained.

Below, you'll find a video providing more detailed information about this fascinating discovery.