The hipposandals (date between 140AD and 180AD), which were found by a volunteer, are largely well preserved but one of them has a hairline fracture [copyright Vindolanda]
Posted on 08/09/2018 12:59:36 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Early Roman "horseshoes" unearthed during an excavation at a fort near Hadrian's Wall are to go on display.
Barbara Birley, curator at Vindolanda, near Hexham, in Northumberland, said it was "incredibly rare" to find a full set of four iron hipposandals.
She said the hoof protectors were so well preserved that their tread to stop horses slipping was clearly visible.
The haul was found by a volunteer - one of 250 who carry out digs at the fort every year.
Because the Romans were in Britain for between 400 and 500 years, Ms Birley said, teams could dig at the site for the next 150 years and still unearth Roman treasures.
"Basically, over the years, nine forts have been built on this site - every time new Roman arrivals came, they covered over the remains from the last fort with clay and turf to make solid foundations for their fort," Ms Birley explained.
"This means things were well preserved. One of the hipposandals has a hairline fracture so the set may have been thrown in the ditch because one was damaged."
The set of hipposandals, dating between 140AD and 180AD, will go on display at the nearby Roman Army Museum, in Greenhead, in February 2019 when the museum reopens.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
The hipposandals (date between 140AD and 180AD), which were found by a volunteer, are largely well preserved but one of them has a hairline fracture [copyright Vindolanda]
In an attempt to head some frequent stupidity off at the pass, during the Roman presence in Britain, the Scots were still cowering in Ireland, peeing their kilts in fear. So thorough was that fear that they didn't move to Caledonia for more than a century after the Roman legions left Britain. Hadrian's Wall was built to minimize the manpower needed to keep the thieving Picts from crossing the frontier. It's a good model for our border with Mexico, come to think of it.
Whoops.
These hipposandals must have been tied to the horse’s hooves in some way.
Probably leather. One countermeasure against cavalry was to spread broken pottery to prevent charges. I’d never heard of these hipposandals before, but my uneducated guess is that these were kept around in answer to that practice. In the 11th c, in Sicily, Hardraada was working for the Byzanitine emperor, and was faced with such a situation before a fight with the saracens. He cut down palm fronds, bound them around the hooves and lower legs of his horse, and ordered his men to do the same. They made a successful charge and slaughtered their enemies.
Birkenstocks?
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What does Rosie O’Donnell wear on her feet?
Hipposandals.
The Romans had horse shoes, but would never invent stirrups.
Been there twice. Really cool.
As a former farrier I find this interesting.
That is true, and always seemed peculiar. :^o
In Roman times they had farriers, including a famous one, the farrier cross the Mersey.
Wow, I'm a little jealous now.
Sometimes, and they also used Birkenpillories.
Okay, I'm gettin' nutty, time for bed.
Hey, stop being mean to hippos!
Probably once someone gets a little grant money, we'll see it demo'd on a modern horse -- in case it hasn't already been done.
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![The hipposandals are being cleaned at the fort [copyright Vindolanda]](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/F080/production/_102786516_hippo.jpg)
