Roman socks fashion faux pas uncovered.

THEY may have been great empirebuilders, warriors and engineers, but when it came to fashion sense, the Romans may have been a little bit lacking.

Evidence has come to light in North Yorkshire that appears to show what to modern eyes would be a footwear faux pas.

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of what they are calling a Roman industrial estate by the A1 near Leeming Bar.

And one of the finds indicates that the long-dead occupants may well have put comfort before style, by wearing socks inside their sandals.

Rust on a nail from a Roman sandal appears to have impressions from fibres that could suggest that a sock-type garment was being worn.

The sandal is one of several finds made during the year-long archaeological excavation carried out as part of the £318m scheme to upgrade the A1 between Dishforth and Leeming The dig has given experts a rare opportunity to investigate a Roman site devoted to industrial activity.

The site is being linked to a known imperial fort at Healam Bridge, near Dishforth, built about 2,000 years ago and thought to have been used by the Roman Ninth Hispanic Legion which, according to legend, marched north into Scotland in the Second Century and was never heard from again.

A major feature of the industrial complex was a waterpowered flour mill used to grind grain and produce food for the garrison and other units travelling along the Roman road of Dere Street – the modern A1.

Adjacent buildings, thought to have been occupied up to the Fourth Century, may also have been a supply centre for a wider area.

Other artefacts uncovered include animal bones, pottery, coins, metal work and brooches.

Evidence of 14 human cremations were found in individual pits.

There is also the wellpreserved skeleton of a horse underneath a building. The animal is thought to have been slaughtered as a sacrifice to gods to bring the building good luck.

Blaise Vyner, a heritage expert for contractor Carillion Morgan Sindall, said: “We know a lot about Roman forts, which have been extensively studied, but to excavate an industrial area with a mill is really exciting.

“We hope it can tell us more about how such military outposts catered for their needs, as self-sufficiency would have been important. The findings show how the route has served people throughout the different periods.

“The industrial area comprised a series of large timber buildings, mostly on the north side of a beck, which powered the mill.

“It would have supplied the fort with goods and provisions – probably processing meat and other food, as well as flour, and could also have developed into something of a settlement focus in its own right.

“You only have to look up the road to Catterick to see how garrison towns are serviced by local shops.

“Perhaps we have something similar here.”