Roman artifact made with nails — likely worn by soldier — found in Germany, photos show

The remains of a Roman sandal — dating back around 2,000 years — were recently discovered in Germany, officials said.

The ancient footwear was found in a well during an excavation of a civilian settlement in Oberstimm, located about 50 miles north of Munich. The settlement is next to a Roman military fort, which dated to between 60 and 130 A.D.

Found alongside food scraps and ceramics, the corroded object was initially mistaken to be the remains of a sickle.

But X-ray imaging later revealed it to be the remnants of a military-style sandal, according to a June 18 news release from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation.

The leather sandal was fitted with iron nails on its sole, which would have provided traction when walking over difficult terrain.

Known as a caligae, this type of shoe was predominantly worn by Roman soldiers at the time of the Roman Empire, which lasted from 27 B.C. to 476 A.D.

“Calligae were specifically designed to reduce the likelihood of blisters forming during forced marches, as well as other foot conditions like trench foot,” according to the Trimontium Museum in Scotland.

But by the end of the 1st century A.D., the Roman army started transitioning away from sandals and toward enclosed shoes, known as calcei, which provided more warmth and protection, according to the museum.

While nails from Roman shoes are often found, intact sandals are a rarity located only a handful of times in the region, officials said.

The newfound sandal indicates that Roman clothing was adopted by the local inhabitants of modern-day Bavaria.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation.

This story was originally published June 21, 2024 at 7:58 AM with the headline "Roman artifact made with nails — likely worn by soldier — found in Germany, photos show."