A foot in a leather sandal next to a cane and a hand holding an ancient sandal covered in dirt at an archaeological site — Giant Roman footwear found, raising questions about who used them | La Derecha Diario

Camara — Giant Roman footwear found, raising questions about who used them | La Derecha Diario

Shocking discovery at a Roman fort: giant shoes baffle archaeologists

Roman shoes over 30 cm (11.8 inches) long were found in Magna, and they could have belonged to unusually tall soldiers

14/07/2025 09:26:00h

Editorial Team

A group of archaeologists unearthed unusually large Roman shoes in northern England. The discovery took place at Magna Fort, near Hadrian's Wall, and left more questions than answers.

The items, over 2,000 years old, could have belonged to Roman soldiers of great height, something uncommon according to historical records.

Detail of the feet of a bronze statue with decorated sandals

A group of archaeologists unearthed unusually large Roman shoes | La Derecha Diario

What exactly did they find?

The archaeologists found 34 pieces of footwear in total. Eight of them measure more than 12 inches (30 cm) long, a size much larger than the standard of that era.

In addition, there were work boots, children's footwear, and sandals. All were made of leather and some had iron studs.

Who lived in the fort?

Magna Fort housed 4,000 people including Roman troops and their families. Records mention soldiers from regions such as Syria, Croatia, Serbia, and the Netherlands.

Person holding a dark, irregularly shaped object that appears to be covered in mud or clay in an outdoor setting with earthy ground.

Archaeologists found a total of 34 pieces of footwear | La Derecha Diario

The troops used to move frequently, leaving clothing and personal belongings behind. The archaeologists believe that explains how the shoes were preserved.

Why so large?

The extra-large shoes could have belonged to exceptionally tall soldiers, although other hypotheses are being considered. Initially, it was thought that they wore socks or stuffed them for warmth.

Person holding an old, worn-out shoe covered in mud

The extra-large shoes might have belonged to exceptionally tall soldiers | La Derecha Diario

However, upon finding more than one pair and in different styles, the researchers concluded that they really belonged to people of great stature.

Comparison with other sites

Similar shoes were found at Vindolanda, another nearby fort. The manufacturing techniques and the use of leather treated with plant material would have allowed them to last thousands of years.

Of the more than 3,700 shoes found there, only 16 exceeded 12 inches (30 cm). This confirms that those from Magna are a rarity.

Person wearing blue gloves holds an old, dark, and worn-looking shoe sole.

Similar shoes were found in Vindolanda | La Derecha Diario

Can their owners be identified?

The researchers are looking for footprints or signs of wear to try to model the original feet. However, it won't be easy to trace their owners.

In the area, the Romans usually cremated their dead, which makes it difficult to recover human remains directly related to the objects.

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