The representation of 1,600 years of Roman flip flops looks so real that it makes you want to wear them

The former succession of Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily is known to present some of the most beautiful examples of Roman mosaics preserved in their original location. As if the site was not already famous enough, researchers and students discovered a mosaic of sandals so modern that they could be straight out of an advertisement from Havaianas.

The sandals, which are part of a larger mosaic decorating the floors in the southern thermal zone of the villa, consist of two pale flip -flops with largely elongated toe toes and black straps. Overall, they are incredibly familiar, as if you could launch your shoes and slide them on yourself.

“These are not simple decorations, but a refined work created by a mosaic craftsman from the 4th century AD”, reads a recent declaration in Italian by the autonomous region of Sicily. In addition to the representation of a 1,600 -year -old rocking, archaeologists have also discovered a mosaic inscription (whose text is not revealed in the declaration) and three columns.

These results “confirm once again the extremely high level of the villa of artistic talented and architecture”, continues the declaration. Archaeological work included more than 40 students and researchers from around the world who participated via the International Summer School of Archeology (archaeological heritage in late and Byzantine ancient Sicily).

Recently discovered flip flops are in no way the first mosaic at Villa Romana del Casale to exhibit beach vibrations. One of the most famous mosaics in the villa is often called “bikini girls” mosaic. As the nickname suggests, it presents a number of women wearing what seems to be bikinis when they pass a ball, like an old version of wrestling or volleyball.

Prudent observers, however, will note that one of the women represented carries weights – which look that striking modern dumbbells of five pounds – while another is preparing to launch a disc. In fact, the ten women really participate in sports competitions, and the mosaic is also called “Le Palestriti”, conference meaning gym in Italian.

As for flip flops, they were not strictly in beach outfit for the ancient Romans. Sandals were common shoes throughout the old Roman world. Interestingly (and uncomfortably), some suggest that unlike ancient Greeks, the straps on the Roman sandals are part of the second and third toes. Like the mosaic of rocking at Villa Romana del Casale does not include real feet, we will never know how they would have been worn.

In the end, the recent discovery is a reminder that we are not so different from the people who took place in this old villa more than a dozen centuries ago.

… Unless they really carry the thong between their second and third toes. It’s just weird.