Shoe

This leather shoe with iron hobnails was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort of Newstead in Roxburghshire. It is a type known as a calceus or caliga, and dates from between 80 and 180 AD.

The nails used to attach the soles to the layers have been hammered in an elaborate pattern. On some shoes the patterns appear to be designed to allow comfortable walking. There is a heart-shaped hole for the latchet and a circular tab at the back.

The Roman calceus and caliga were made from three pieces of leather - an upper, a sole and an insole - nailed together with hobnails. The caliga, the legionary sandal, had an upper consisting of many thongs. The upper of the calceus was tied by thongs.

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