Soldier or Artist? An Investigation into the Possible Roman Origins of Footprint Petroglyphs from Humayma

Abstract

The archaeological site of Humayma in southern Jordan contains traces of human occupation spanning the Neolithic period through to the present day, with major occupation associated with the Nabatean, Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic settlements dating from the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD. Petroglyphs of feet carved into the sandstone landmasses next to the site could conceivably be associated with any of these population groups. The goal of this study is to investigate the possibility that some may have been carved by soldiers of the Roman garrison who were stationed at Humayma from the early 2nd C AD to the early 5th C AD. Specific aspects of Humayma’s foot petroglyphs (e.g. shape, dimensions, details) will be compared to published descriptions of Roman military footwear and to depictions in Roman art to determine the likelihood that Roman soldiers garrisoned at Humayma created these carvings. Further comparison of the nature and context of these carvings against other depictions of shoes, bare feet, footprints in Roman art may establish motives behind the creation of these petroglyphs. The findings as to whether or not support the theory that Roman soldiers likely created these petroglyphs will provide important information for understanding the activities of Humayma’s soldiers and the identity of those carving foot petroglyphs at Humayma and in the surrounding region.