The famous Roman Villa in Sicily, Italy, has yielded another, surprising treasure: a mosaic of ancient Roman flip-flops.
The Villa Romana del Casale, located in Sicily, has been a treasure trove for archaeologists for over seven decades. Its latest gift is no less fascinating – motifs of a pair of flip-flops. The discovery is yet another in the long chain of findings that seem to indicate that the Romans had surprisingly ‘modern’ sensibilities. The sandals were discovered by a team of students from the University of Bologna.
It should be noted that while these are called ‘flip-flops’ due to the similarity, they aren’t the same as modern footwear. The Romans wore a heavy-soled caligae while the civilians wore a lighter solea. On the other hand, modern rubber flip-flops were born from the union of the Japanese zōri sandals and the Brazilian rubber plantations. The Roman sandal motifs were found in the cold bath section of the villa, along with the yet unknown inscription of Treptona bibas.
Also Read: After 12 Years, Alexandria Biennale Of Egypt To Resume In 2026
One of the best-preserved Roman-era sites, the Roman villa in Sicily was first excavated in the 1950s. It received a UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. The villa spans across 37,000 square feet and once showcased the luxurious life of the Roman aristocrats of the 4th century. However, today the villa suffers from neglect and poor maintenance. Archaeologists also suggest that a lot is yet undiscovered at the villa.
