June
16
/ 2025
Archaeologists excavating the ancient Roman fort of Magna, near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England, have uncovered a remarkable personal artifact: a nearly complete Roman leather shoe measuring 32cm (12.6 inches) from heel to toe - equivalent to a modern UK men's size 13-14. The discovery has delighted experts and volunteers alike, with some dubbing the find "Footius Maximus," in recognition of its extraordinary size and preservation. This rare shoe, unearthed during ongoing excavations of the fort's defensive ditches, is believed to have once belonged to a soldier of particularly formidable stature - possibly one of the largest-footed individuals yet documented in the Vindolanda Trust's growing collection of Roman footwear, notes the Magna Rooman Fort Project blog post. "The sheer size
