“Unusually large” 2,000-year-old shoes unearthed at a Roman site in northern England

Archaeologists at the Magna Roman Fort in northern England have uncovered eight unusually large 2,000‑year‑old shoes, including one nearly 13 inches long (size 49 EU/15 US). Found in a defensive ditch, these large shoes are rare compared to other Roman sites like Vindolanda. Researchers are investigating who might have worn them and why so many oversized shoes appear at Magna, highlighting the diverse people within the Roman Empire. Alongside the shoes, a boxwood comb was also discovered.