By le thi huyen 
The Mystery of the Roman Lady’s Topaz-Encrusted Leather Sandal at the Saalburg Fortress
At the Saalburg Museum in Germany, there is a rare artifact that has surprised many people – a Roman lady’s leather sandal decorated with topaz, dating from around 100–150 AD. The discovery not only shows the exquisite aesthetic taste of the ancient Romans, but also provides insight into the lives of women in the frontier fortresses.
![A woman's leather sandal decorated with a topaz, found in a well at Saalburg Roman fort in Germany. 100-150 CE, now housed at the Saalburg Museum [2517x1696] : r/ArtefactPorn](https://preview.redd.it/a-womans-leather-sandal-decorated-with-a-topaz-found-in-a-v0-ie5s9iqm97ze1.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=d543f0ab5654f3e66fa7d06448bb539d4c82af5f)
Where was the artifact found?
The sandal was excavated from an ancient well inside the Saalburg Fortress, a military structure located on the western border of the Roman Empire (now in the state of Hessen, Germany). The fact that it was discovered in the well means that the details, including the leather and the rare topaz, are well preserved.
Design and materials
The sandal is made of genuine leather, neatly cut with a simple but elegant design. What is special is the decoration of topaz – a precious stone often used in royal jewelry during the Roman period. The setting of precious stones on the sandals suggests that this could have been an item worn by a woman of the upper class or nobility.
Historical significance
This discovery helps archaeologists understand more about the role and lifestyle of women in the Roman military areas. It also proves that fashion and luxury were not only for large cities like Rome but also spread to the border regions.