The excavations at Vindolanda have revealed some of the most precious and unique artefacts in Roman history. From leather boxing gloves and children’s shoes to wooden hair combs and the first evidence of female writing in Britain, this collection of artefacts typifies the amazing and diverse array of material culture present in Britain during the Roman period. The objects demonstrate the connections Britain had to the Continent and the Mediterranean world of the Roman Empire in a vibrant and sometimes personal way.

These fifty objects illustrate the wealth of knowledge that can be gleaned from everyday items, and through them an understanding of the communities that lived at Vindolanda almost 2,000 years ago.

'The authors, Barbara Birley and Elizabeth Greene, have long been immersed in the wonders of the site, and are engaging and erudite guides to these archaeological riches.' * Current Archaeology Magazine, August 2024 *
Life on a Roman fort in the heart of ancient Northumberland is recalled in 50 objects.' * The Chronicle, September 2024 *
'It is an enjoyable and accessible read that can easily be completed in one sitting or dipped into during coffee breaks.' * Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Summer 2025 *

The Roman objects from Vindolanda are Barbara’s main focus and she takes great pride in conserving, cataloguing, interpreting and displaying them for the general public who visit both Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum. She also oversees the Trust’s education and learning programme, Heritage Guiding Programme and Museum Volunteers. Elizabeth M. Greene has excavated at Vindolanda and researched various aspects of the archaeological collections since 2002. Her current focus is on the assemblage of leather and shoes from Vindolanda and its potential to reveal information about population and demography. Elizabeth is Associate Professor of Roman Archaeology at the University of Western Ontario in Canada.