Roman fort 'Big Foot' mystery takes step forward

THE mystery of a Roman fort's 'Big Foot' has taken another step forward as archaeologists investigate one of the base’s defensive ditches.

- TONY HENDERSON

The earlier discovery of a 32cm long shoe, equating to a size 13-14 in today’s footwear, intrigued diggers at Magna fort in Northumberland.

Now the ditch dig has yielded another 32 shoes with eight of them also oversized examples of between size 12-14.

This has posed the question as to whether one individual was working his way rapidly through extra large boots or the new shoe finds belonged to another eight big-footed members of the fort community.

With a collection of around 5,000 ancient leather shoes uncovered at Roman Vindolanda, the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, which is excavating at nearby Magana, has gained a striking insight into the men, women and children who occupied this northern outpost from these personal items of clothing.

The collection includes tiny baby booties, elaborate summer sandals and marching boots.

The trust's excavation at Magna Roman fort, a five-year project funded with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is now adding to that tally.