Summary

Roman shoe or carbatina, cut from one piece of leather, from the Roman site at Newstead, 80 - 180 AD

Accession Number

X.FRA 108

Other references

Original description

NEWSTEAD COLLECTION. Sandal cut out of one piece of leather, worn to a hole in the heel, 9 1/2" long. [MoS description] Skins off their backs. Making things from leather. Making shoes. (1) Shoe made from a single piece of leather, Newstead. 80 - 180 AD. [Scran caption] This leather shoe was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort of Newstead in Roxburghshire. It dates between 80 and 180, providing evidence of decorated footwear of Roman soldiers. This type of shoe, called by the Romans a carbatina, was cut from one piece of leather, wrapped around the foot and secured with thongs which tied through holes on the sides. It is worn to a hole in the heel. A variety of shoes have been found in Roman Britain, included examples where the soles were nailed or stitched to several layers, sandals and one-piece shoes. Surviving where conditions are favourable, they show changing fashions over time. Date: Between 80 and 180 AD. Material: Leather. Dimensions: Length: 24.1 cm.

Associated person/people (e.g. excavator/former collection)

Newstead Collection

Discovery / field collection

Date of discovery

1905

Method (e.g. excavation)

Excavated

Place (i.e. location of discovery)

Newstead, Roxburghshire, Scotland, Northern Europe

Grid reference

Not recorded

Acquisition

Acquisition date

1914

Acquisition source (i.e. name of donor)

Unknown

Acquisition source role (e.g. donor)

Not recorded

Image