Context:

Archaeologists have discovered a collection of unusually large shoes at Magna Fort near Hadrian’s Wall, suggesting that some of its ancient Roman inhabitants might have been exceptionally tall. These findings contrast with other Roman sites, where shoe sizes were smaller, sparking questions about the fort's occupants and their backgrounds. The shoes, mostly large leather soles, provide clues about the diverse groups that lived there, including soldiers from various regions of the Roman Empire. The preservation of these shoes is threatened by changing climate conditions that alter soil composition, emphasizing the urgency of the excavation. Researchers intend to analyze wear patterns on the shoes to learn more about their owners, although linking them to specific individuals remains challenging due to the cremation practices of the era.

Dive Deeper:

• The discovery of large shoes at Magna Fort, a Roman military site, suggests that some soldiers stationed there were taller than the average Roman soldier, raising questions about the physical characteristics of these troops.

• The fort's inhabitants included diverse groups from across the Roman Empire, such as Hamian archers from what is now Syria and Dalmatian soldiers from Croatia and Serbia, contributing to a wide range of physical traits.

• The shoes found are made from thick cowhide leather with iron hobnails, a construction method that has helped preserve them over centuries, although only a few have the upper portions intact.

• The excavation of the Magna site is urgent due to climate change, which affects soil conditions and accelerates the decay of organic materials like leather, threatening the preservation of the archaeological findings.

• Researchers hope to find foot impressions in the shoes to model their owners' feet, but linking these shoes to actual individuals is difficult because Roman burial customs in the area involved cremation, leaving few skeletal remains.

• The excavation has uncovered 34 pieces of footwear, which include both large and small sizes, reflecting the presence of men, women, and children at the site, and offering insights into the everyday life of its inhabitants.

• The ongoing study of artifacts, such as pottery and shoes, aims to construct a timeline of occupation at Magna Fort and understand the cultural and historical context of its diverse Roman occupants.