Archaeologists in Turkey have made a remarkable discovery in the ancient city of Sagalassos, located in Burdur’s Ağlasun district. A 2,000-year-old footprint, preserved on a Roman-era clay tile, has been unearthed during ongoing excavations. Experts describe the find as a “tangible piece of history” that offers fresh insight into the everyday lives of the people who once lived in this thriving Roman settlement.
Sagalassos, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, has been under systematic excavation since 1989. The site is renowned for its monumental Roman architecture, including the Antonine Nymphaeum, the Upper and Lower Agoras, and impressive statues of emperors. But this latest discovery is considered one of the rarest — an intimate trace of an individual who walked these streets two millennia ago.
Evidence of Roman Women in Daily Life
The footprint was impressed onto a clay roof tile before it hardened. Archaeologists believe the print belonged to a woman wearing a nailed shoe, known as caligae. While these durable shoes were typically associated with Roman soldiers and laborers, the size and structure of the footprint suggest that women in rural Roman provinces also used such footwear.
According to Prof. Dr. Jeroen Poblome of KU Leuven University, who has been part of the Sagalassos excavation team for over three decades, the discovery is highly significant:
“The size of the footprint indicates it likely belonged to a woman. This challenges our assumptions and shows that women, too, wore these durable nailed shoes and played active roles in social and economic life in Roman Anatolia.”
This detail transforms the find into more than just a physical imprint — it is a window into gender roles and fashion in Roman society.
Plans to Reconstruct Ancient Footwear
The excavation team is not only studying the footprint but also planning to reconstruct the ancient shoe based on the impressions. By analyzing the nail patterns and the size of the shoe (estimated around size 37), researchers hope to recreate a leather replica that demonstrates what Roman women in the region may have worn.
Prof. Poblome explained that countless iron nails have been uncovered in the Sagalassos excavation house storage, believed to come from footwear. The footprint now confirms their origin:
“We matched the nails found on site with the imprint on the tile and confirmed it belonged to a Roman shoe. This allows us to recreate a historically accurate design, offering valuable insights into craftsmanship and daily life.”
Such reconstructions will not only serve academic purposes but also enrich museum exhibits and heritage tourism in the region.
Sagalassos: A City Frozen in Time
Sagalassos was one of the most important ceramic production centers of the Roman Empire and a bustling city in Pisidia. Excavations have revealed stunning statues of Emperor Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, and deities such as Nike, Dionysus, and Asklepios. Many of these treasures are displayed at the Burdur Archaeological Museum, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The city also stands out for its unique architectural treasures, including the Antonine Fountain, which still flows with water after centuries, and the well-preserved Agora Gymnasium. Recent discoveries include a sphinx figure and full-scale marble statues of deities like Hermes and Men, further highlighting the city’s cultural richness.
With each excavation season, Sagalassos continues to surprise historians and archaeologists with personal and monumental traces of the past. The footprint discovery adds a human touch, reminding us that behind the grand temples and statues were ordinary individuals whose lives shaped the history of the region.
Why This Discovery Matters
The 2,000-year-old footprint is more than an archaeological curiosity — it represents:
- A rare personal trace of daily life in the Roman Empire
- Evidence of women’s active roles in rural Roman Anatolia
- Insight into Roman craftsmanship, footwear, and fashion
- A valuable addition to Sagalassos’s cultural narrative
As excavations continue, scholars expect that this discovery will spark new research into gender, mobility, and material culture in the Roman provinces.
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