Summary

Roman shoe or carbatina of leather, with two long latchet tabs at the instep, from the Roman site at Newstead, 80 - 180 AD

Accession Number

X.FRA 110

Other references

Original description

NEWSTEAD COLLECTION. Sandal with two long latchet tabs at the instep, 8 3/4" long. Updated from SCRAN full data set, December 1998. [MoS description] Skins off their backs. Using skins. Widespread use of skins. (2) Shoes, 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 from between 80 and 180 AD, 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. 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: 22.2 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