A rare find has been unearthed at the Vindolanda Roman Fort near to Layside. Described by curator Barbara Birley as “incredibly rare”, this full set of iron hipposandals were recently dug up by a volunteer at an archaeological dig. Better known as horseshoes to many, they were apparently so well preserved that the tread on them, which is used to stop a horse from slipping, was still visible to researchers.
One of the 250 volunteers that help carry out digs at the Vindolanda fort every year was responsible for digging up these horseshoes. The horseshoes are estimated to be dated between 140AD and 180AD and since the Romans were in Britain between 400 and 500 years, it is possible that researchers and volunteers digging at the site could still unearth Roman treasures for the next 150 years!
The horseshoes will go on display in February 2019 at the Roman Army Museum in Greenhead.
