Archaeological Footwear

Goubitz, Olaf, Carol van Driel-Murray, Willy Groenman-van Waateringe. Stepping Through Time: Archaeological Footwear from Prehistoric Times Until 1800. Stichting Promotie Archeologie, 2001.

Stepping Through Time by Olaf Goubitz is a comprehensive study on the history of footwear from prehistoric times to 1800 AD, primarily based on excavations from northwest Europe, including Dordrecht in the Netherlands. The book draws on Goubitz’s 25 years of expertise in leather conservation, presenting a detailed typological catalogue of shoes. It explores shoe construction methods, materials, patterns, soles, and stitching techniques, providing essential guidance for archaeologists working with fragmented shoe finds. The fully illustrated catalogue allows for a deep understanding of shoe-making technology and its evolution over the centuries.

Additionally, contributions from experts like van Driel-Murray and Groenman-van Waateringe examine prehistoric and Roman footwear, periods that have yielded fewer artefacts. The book not only covers the technical aspects of footwear production but also delves into conservation techniques and the cultural context of shoe use throughout history. With its detailed illustrations and analyses, Stepping Through Time serves as an indispensable resource for historians and archaeologists, offering a comprehensive reference on the role of footwear in both everyday life and archaeological contexts across Europe.

There are no hardback copies for sale anywhere that I could find. It looks like there used to be a dirty, damaged copy for sale for $275 but it is no longer available. This book is over 20 years old and is still in very good condition. The dust jacket is a fairly thin transparent paper and has a couple small tears in the corners. Also, my address label is on the front sheet, but otherwise the interior is clean with no marks or highlighting. It's 9¼"wide x 11¾"tall x 1⅛"thick. I am asking $300.

Primitive Shoes

Hald, Margrethe. Primitive Shoes: An Archaeological-Ethnological Study Based Upon Shoe Finds From the Jutland Peninsula. National Museum of Denmark, 1972.

This comprehensive study by Margrethe Hald explores ancient footwear discovered on the Jutland Peninsula, offering insights into shoe construction, materials, and use from the Bronze Age through to the Iron Age. The book provides detailed analysis of over 216 pages of archaeological finds, shedding light on the evolution of shoes in pre-industrial societies. Hald focuses on the ethnological and archaeological significance of these finds, discussing the methods used to preserve the shoes and their cultural context. It remains a vital reference for anyone interested in the history of footwear, archaeology, or early material culture.

This paperback book is in excellent condition considering it is over fifty years old! The binding is still tight, but there is some evidence of use with light creasing. There are so many photos and descriptions of shoes. This is another excellent book that has long been out of print. The dimensions are 8½"wide x 12"tall x ¾"thick. There is slight yellowing of the pages. I don't seen any marks or highlighting on the inside of the book. ISBN: 9788748072824 / 8748072826.

There are currently no copies of this book for sale in any English-speaking countries, on Amazon or otherwise so I'm not entirely sure how to price this. The last time I offered this book for sale I was asking $250 so I think I'll keep that price until I see another listed someplace.

Medieval Leatherworking

Mould, Quita, Ian Carlisle, and Esther Cameron. Craft, Industry, and Everyday Life: Leather and Leatherworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York. York Archaeological Trust, Council for British Archaeology, 2003.

This volume provides an in-depth examination of leatherworking in York during the Anglo-Scandinavian and medieval periods, based primarily on evidence from 16–22 Coppergate and other sites in the city. It catalogues over 5,000 leather items, including shoes, scabbards, sheaths, and straps, spanning from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The book not only covers the artefacts themselves but also explores the environmental evidence for tanning and leatherworking processes. Items show signs of repair, recycling, and detailed craftsmanship, reflecting the technological and cultural influences of the time. Additionally, it discusses workshops, tools, and production waste, offering a comprehensive view of the leather industry’s impact on York’s local economy and daily life.

I love this book. If I thought I would ever do medieval shoemaking, I would never let it go. It has so many photos and detailed drawings, it is an invaluable resource. My paperback copy has light edgewear from being moved a couple of times, but I never got around to using it and the binding is still unbroken. It is about 8½"wide x 11¾"tall by 1"thick. ISBN: 9781902771366 / 1902771362. I added my address on the front sheet because books tended to disappear when I loaned them out.

I've scoured the internet for comparables and I found no copies available in the United States and only a couple of varying quality in the UK. I'm thinking I would like to get $250 for this copy.

This is a synopsis provided by York Archaeological Trust: