The complete caliga imprint and 3D scanning of its cast (photo M. Eisenberg).
Posted on 06/17/2015 9:57:38 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The archaeological sites of the ancient Roman Empire constitute without rival the most prolific array of ancient architecture and artifacts that can be attributed to any single civilization or culture. Its remains pockmark the Old World landscape from North Africa and Egypt to Hadrian’s Wall in Britain. The artifacts populate museums the world over. But comparatively rarely does one find the preserved footprint of an ancient Roman citizen. That is why excavators and archaeologists got excited when, while digging at the site of Hippos-Sussita (an ancient Hellenistic-Roman site just east of the Sea of Galilee in Israel), they came across what appeared to be imprints of the soles of Roman soldiers’ footwear within the remains of a Roman defensive bastion structure. “On the ancient binding material of the bastion rear wall, we noticed to our great surprise a number of imprints that were left by Roman military boots while their owners were walking over the mortar before it had dried [while under construction during the 1st century CE],” related Excavation Director Michael Eisenberg in an article published in Popular Archaeology Magazine.
(Excerpt) Read more at popular-archaeology.com ...
The complete caliga imprint and 3D scanning of its cast (photo M. Eisenberg).
I did not know the soles had cleats. I always assumed they were flat bottomed.
So... the guards had cleats on their shoes.
I wonder what they were made of and how they were attached to the sole.
Hobnails, actually. They also calculated as a European size 40, which translate to an American size 9.5.
Looks like the guy in the picture needs some shoes.
That dude’s feet in the picture - looks like some serious athlete’s foot...
Caligae: Heavy-soled boots worn by Roman soldiers of all ranks up to and including Centurion. Caligae resemble sandals, but were actually designed for both marching and fighting. The open design allowed for the passage of air to the feet to reduce the likelihood of blisters forming while marching, as well as other conditions such as tinea and what is today called trench foot. Socks were not normally worn with caligae, although in colder climates (such as in Britain), woollen socks were often used. Caligae incorporated three layers of leather, with the top one forming the outer shell. These boots were laced up the centre of the foot and onto the top of the ankle. Iron hobnails were hammered into the soles of the boots to provide grip, reinforcement and act as a weapon (allowing the soldier to injure an enemy through a stamping action).
Same here. Of course, that’s the kind of information that wouldn’t survive any other way than this.
Thanks!
Thanks, nice picture.
Sandal straps trap sweat, add dust and you get mud. Kick off your sandals and you get that appearance.
Looks more like gangrene than athlete’s foot.
I wonder how their feet felt after a days march in those things. Yike.
And also the source of the nickname given to Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - Caligula (little boots).
Looks to me as though he'd just kicked off some "shower shoes".
I am pretty sure I see the dirt outline of the thong of a flip-flop. Amazing that he would be allowed to wear such flimsy foot protection at a dig.
Asomeone who hates shoes — I am barefoot at this moment, AAMOF — I sympathize with the guy’s desire for comfort, but I think I would wear real shoes at a dig.
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