Archaeologists from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation found vestiges of a civilian settlement around an auxiliary Roman camp dating from between 60 and 130 AD. Among the findings, a rarity appeared: remains of a well-preserved sandal sole with nails.

Surprising discoveries like the Oberstimm sole show again and again that even after archaeological excavations are completed, valuable information is gathered. This underscores the invaluable work of our restorers, says Mathias Pfeil, general conservator of the Bavarian State Office for the Conservation of Monuments (BLfD).

The findings, which include typical Roman ceramics like Terra Sigillata, food remains, tools, and clothing components, were examined and cared for after the excavations at the Bavarian State Office for the Conservation of Monuments, to protect them from further degradation.

This is how the remains of the sole of the Roman sandal were found.
This is how the remains of the sole of the Roman sandal were found. Credit: Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege

A curved and heavily corroded metal piece was initially suspected to be the remains of a sickle. Later, X-rays taken at the workshops of the Bavarian State Office for the Conservation of Monuments revealed it to be parts of a studded sandal sole.

The shoe was likely worn by an adult. The iron nails were used to reinforce and fix the leather sole. Like modern cleats, they provided the shoe with stability and traction when walking on difficult terrain.

The so-called Caligae were mainly worn by Roman soldiers during the Roman Empire. The discovery shows that the practices, lifestyles, and also the clothing that the Romans brought to Bavaria were adopted by the local people, says Amira Adaileh, a specialist at the Bavarian State Office for the Conservation of Monuments.

X-ray analysis confirmed that it is the sole of a Roman sandal studded with nails
X-ray analysis confirmed that it is the sole of a Roman sandal studded with nails. Credit: Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege

It is very common to find individual shoe nails at Roman sites, but they are preserved together with leather sole remains only under special conditions. For example, the Oberstimm sole comes from a well. Comparable findings in Bavaria are known so far from only a handful of sites and provide valuable insights into Roman daily life and craftsmanship.

SOURCES

Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege

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