A 2,000-year-old Roman military sandal with nails has been discovered in Germany. Photo

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Roman military sandal with nails, which is more than 2000 years old. The unusual find was discovered near an auxiliary Roman camp in Germany.

The military-style footwear was discovered during excavations in a civilian settlement on the outskirts of a Roman military fort near Oberstimm. This was reported by archaeologists from the State Office for the Protection of Landmarks of Bavaria, writes Arkeonews.

The exposed remains of the sole of a Roman sandal were in a deplorable condition. They were masked by a thick layer of corrosion. At first, archaeologists thought they were two pieces of ancient metal. Scientists even debated whether it might be a sickle, because the found elements of the shoe were curved.

It was only an X-ray taken in the laboratory of the Bavarian State Office for Landmark Preservation that showed that the corroded lumps were in fact the remains of sandals. Consequently, further research proved that the archaeologists had unearthed a military shoe called a caligi.

Caligi are the heavy high military sandals of ancient Rome. These shoes were an integral part of the uniform of Roman legionaries and auxiliary troops.

Military caligi were necessarily well nailed. Iron nails were used to strengthen and fix the leather sole. They provided durability and strength. One could walk on difficult terrain in these shoes. Kaligs were extremely hardy and comfortable, which was important for the military.

Individual shoe nails are often found at Roman sites. But very rarely are they preserved together with the remains of a leather sole. Such finds in Bavaria are so far only known from a few sights. So, the found military sandals offer fresh insights for scholars into Roman daily life and craftsmanship.

Amira Adaile, an expert at the Bavarian State Office for Monuments Conservation, says the discovery shows that the customs, lifestyle, and clothing that the Romans brought to Bavaria were adopted by the locals.

Matthias Pfeil, Conservator General of the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of Monuments, said that the excavations were followed by a detailed restoration of the finds. "This emphasizes the invaluable work of our restorers," - notes the scientist.

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