Teesside University leads Roman leather economy study
Teesside University has launched a three year research project to investigate how leather was made, traded, and used across the Roman Empire. Associate professor Dr Gillian Taylor is leading the work with partners from University College London, Western University in Canada, and North Carolina State University.
The £1.3m (€1.5m) UKRI AHRC funded project will combine scientific analysis, ancient DNA sequencing, and archaeological research to study material from sites in Britain, the Netherlands, and Syria. Key collections include Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall, along with material from Trimontium, Valkenburg, and Vechten.
The team is working with the Vindolanda Trust, the National Museum of Scotland, and the National Museum of Antiquities in the Netherlands. Dr Taylor said the study will help build a clearer picture of Roman supply networks and daily life, while also supporting future policies for managing organic archaeological material at risk from climate change.
Image of leather baby boot from Roman Vindolanda. Image courtesy of Vindolanda Trust
