Stepping through time: Archaeological footwear from prehistoric times until 1800

by Olaf Goubitz

Drawing on 25 years' experience as a conservator of leather, Goubitz presents a typological catalogue of footwear dating from 800-1800 AD. The study is based on Goubitz' analysis of an important assemblage of shoes recovered from excavations at Dordrecht in the Netherlands but the volume's aim is to offer guidance for the identification of shoes found on sites across north-western Europe. In addition, contributions from van Driel-Murray and Groenman-van Waateringe examine evidence for shoe types in prehistoric Europe and the north-western provinces of the Roman Empire, periods which inevitably have left less evidence. The fully illustrated catalogue follows a comprehensive discussion of shoes styles and technology including height standards, iconography, material, patterns, stitches, soles, the identification and dating of fragments and conservation. The volume should prove a useful tool for Roman and, especially, medieval historians and archaeologists.

Genres: Nonfiction

396 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re studying ancient shoe production, this is for you. The section on Roman shoes by legendary archaeologist Carol Van Driel Murray is particularly well done with such helpful illustrations.