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 of the shoe and guesses about who could have worn it dominated the conversation," said Rachel Frame, senior archaeologist with the Magna Project.
"Could this one be the largest in the Vindolanda Trust collection? We certainly look forward to finding out!
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A Personal Connection to the Past
The shoe is one of several shoe just found in waterlogged, anaerobic layers of Magna's first fort ditch. They are exceptionally well-preserved thanks to the oxygen-poor conditions that slow the decomposition of organic material like leather. According to the excavation team, the large shoe included only one of the several sole layers, but the other examples found show more of the Roman shoe technology used.
Frame explained:
"Multiple layers of leather were used to form the sole, held together with thongs, stitching, and hobnails. These also reinforced the outer surface for walking and are found on many styles of shoe."
The hobnails - small iron studs embedded in the sole - served both functional and structural purposes, providing traction and durability. The surviving shoe also retains part of its heel, allowing archaeologists to study its construction in remarkable detail.
Another shoe found at the Magna fort shows clearly the hobnails that were used in its construction. (Roman Army Museum)
Volunteer archaeologist Jo, who helped recover the first of the two complete shoes discovered this week, described the emotional resonance of her find:
"It's always exciting to find anything that hasn't been touched for 2000 years, but a shoe is such a personal item; it really puts you in touch with the people who used to live at the fort."
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The second shoe example, with heel still attached. (Roman Army Museum)
The Shoe That Shocked the Trench
But it was the mighty 32cm (12.6 inch) sole that truly stole the spotlight. The Daily Mail compared the shoe's size to modern figures such as actor Stephen Fry (6ft 4in / 195cm) and comedian Stephen Merchant (6ft 7in / 201cm), both of whom wear shoes of similar size.
While the exact identity of the ancient owner remains unknown, it is likely that he was a centurion or heavy infantryman - someone whose physical presence and duties required reinforced footwear and a sturdy build.
The shoe was recovered from an "ankle breaker" trench, a defensive feature designed to trap and injure advancing enemies. Although it's unclear whether the owner lost his footwear in a fall or merely abandoned it, the location adds another layer of mystery and intrigue to the discovery.
Artist’s impression of the fort at Magna. (Roman Army Museum)
Magna: A Fort at the Crossroads
Magna, also known as Carvoran, was constructed around 80 AD as part of the Roman campaign to consolidate control in northern Britain. It was first a fort that was part of the Stanegate Road frontier which operated between 85 and 122 AD. Located near the western edge of Hadrian's Wall, the fort was strategically placed at the intersection of two key Roman roads and served as a smaller but vital outpost compared to the nearby fort of Vindolanda.
Although less excavated than Vindolanda, Magna is beginning to yield a rich array of finds thanks to the efforts of the Vindolanda Trust and its volunteers. Recent seasons have unearthed not only footwear but also wooden tent pegs, pottery, and preserved leather scraps - all speaking to the daily life and infrastructure of the Roman garrison that once manned the site.
A Race Against Climate
However, these delicate finds are under increasing threat. The preservation of organic materials like leather and wood depends on wet, oxygen-free soil. A dry spring has created concerns among archaeologists that rising temperatures and falling groundwater levels could compromise future discoveries.
"At Magna, the lack of rain has caused the groundwater level to drop considerably," warned Franki Gillis, geoarchaeologist for the Magna Project. "So although nice, this abnormally lovely warm spring may be harmful to the continual preservation of our organic finds at Magna and Vindolanda."
In early May, the region received less than half a millimeter of rainfall - a critical shortfall in what is normally a moisture-reliant archaeological zone.
With excavation ongoing and new finds emerging each week, the Magna Project continues to shine light on the untold personal histories of Rome's northern frontier - one step at a time.
Top image: Remains of the large shoe recovered at the Magna Roman Fort site, England. Source: Roman Army Museum
By Gary Manners
