Are we walking in the footsteps of history; in our most recent study, applying photogrammetry for Roman History, José, took this question literally. Photogrammetry is a multifaceted technology enabling the digitization of a wide range of subjects. Conventionally, photogrammetry can often be of use in the digital preservation of individual artefacts. Or in this case, a specific section of a Roman archaeological site. By using photogrammetry in the field, José’s scanning brought forth a curiosity.
The naked human eye is a wondrous tool. However, photogrammetry allows for the precise collection of intricate details of a site or object — with precision. In doing so, we can digitize, share, and use the data for future analysis. In the instance of using photogrammetry for the study of Roman History, José’s work captures an allegory and a reality– the footprints of the past.
Capturing the Details of Roman History with Photogrammetry
In 2024, workers uncovered one of the largest concentrations of Roman sandal prints in Spain while reconstructing the Roman wall of Astorga. When referring to Roman history, the site’s original name is Asturica Augusta. José took on the challenge to perform a handheld close range photogrammetry survey on the Roman site. What José’s model brings forth allows for a better understanding of daily life in the Ancient Roman Empire. Photogrammetry became a key to verifying a perplexing series of foot prints in mortar.
So, how can photogrammetry supplement the study of Roman History? In José’s occlusion map, photogrammetry reveals not only multiple ancient shoe prints, but an abnormality! Looking at the images below, an ardent Roman shoe enthusiast might be able to identify the unique cleated imprints of a Roman Legionnaire’s Caligae. The AirJordan of the Ancient World. During their use, all military ranks and auxiliaries, including centurions, wore these marching boots. Evidence places their use in the Late Republic (1st c. BCE), with scholars hypothesizing origins as early as the 3rd c. BCE. You might recognize the shoe’s name due to the infamous Emperor, Caligula. His namesake came from his childhood affinity for wearing the marching boots in question, earning his name, Caligula, translating to “Little Boots.”
A background on Famous Footwear of Roman History
Fabricated with three layers of leather to form an outer shell, and hob-nails on the heavy soles for traction, these ancient Roman shoes resemble a utility strength strappy sandal. Featuring laces from top of the foot up to the ankle, the caligae are iconic of Early Roman Empirical expansionism. However, as the Roman empire grew, so did its demand for more versatile footwear. With expansion into the modern day– and environmentally damp– United Kingdom, caligae were replaced in the late first century CE by the enclosed Calcei militari. However, while using photogrammetry in Roman history, leads to identifying a specific historical shoe print is exciting, the size of the print leads to more questions than answers.
These Shoes weren’t meant for walking…
In the case of Roman History, photogrammetry facilitates the creation of a precise 3D model of the footprint and provides scale. Additionally, Roman Caligae are identifiable due to the nails (clavii caligarii) on the base of the shoe, leaving a recognizable print. While identifying a caligae print is thrilling, we can now ask: How did the shoe print come into existence?
Most likely, the prints were left imprinted in a layer of fresh mortar– accompanying the sighs of roman engineers. A relatable mistake still prevalent today on sidewalks or driveways. A dog, cat, or child wandering through wet cement and leaving an inadvertently adorable imprint. Despite modern infrastructure’s innate ability to deteriorate with haste, the Roman’s are historically renowned for the longevity of their infrastructure.
Photogrammetry for Roman History: Who’s shoes?
So, what is it about these Roman shoe prints that warrants an entire blog? What José’s photogrammetric survey reveals are the unusual size of the footprints. Seeing as Roman Legionnaires occupied an important place in the Roman military, one would suspect the shoe size to be around the size of a Roman male’s foot. However, these footprints are quite small, merely 26 cm! Thus, it leads to the bigger question of “who was wearing these small legionnaire shoes?” While we can not pinpoint the exact person, we can refer to Roman history to expand upon the question raised by the photogrammetry model.
The key point in José’s study is that photogrammetry in Roman history uncovered details invisible in standard outputs. The ortho and digital elevation model (DEM) concealed the impressions, but the specular highlights texture revealed the nail imprints of the caligae with distinction. By capturing the way light interacts with the surface, photogrammetry exposed a subtle layer of evidence that traditional archaeological recording might overlook. This ability to reveal what the human eye and conventional mapping hide underscores photogrammetry’s importance. A growing technology continuing to demonstrate its capacity as a transformative tool for Roman archaeology.
One of the better preserved imprints have been 3D printed and painted for display at the local museum.. Being an identical copy the replica is very much intended to be interactive, helping the visually impaired understand the object at fingertip level of detail.
“You can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they’re going, where they’ve been…”
Overall, The 3D scan generated from José’s work demonstrates the unique and integral component to the benefits of applying photogrammetry to conventional surveying methods. Photogrammetry continues to demonstrate its interdisciplinary value. Archaeologists can bring some components of a site to a museum after excavation. However, larger items, such as mortar, would require invasive techniques that compromise the object’s integrity. Photogrammetry allows for a non invasive approach to record and digitize locations and objects. In doing so, researchers can dissect and analyze the object of interest from anywhere, while the site remains intact.