Roman soldiers marched enormous distances—and their military footwear needed constant maintenance.
At the Roman fort of Schramberg-Waldmössingen in Germany, archaeologists identified a workshop associated with metalworking and recovered more than 300 largely unused iron shoe nails.
These hobnails were driven into the soles of Roman military footwear to improve grip. During long marches, nails could loosen or fall out, creating a steady demand for replacements.
The discovery offers an unexpected glimpse into the logistics behind the Roman army.
