© Steve TomlinsonThe shoe as it was found on a foreshore in North Kent.
The artefact, which has been dated at 3,000-years-old, was discovered on a foreshore in the north of the county by professional archaeologist Steve Tomlinson.
Mr Tomlinson, who lives in Ramsgate, found the child's shoe in September last year, and was "in deep shock" when he heard how old it was.
He recalled: "We had been out for three hours scouring the shoreline, when I came across what looked like a very old shoe like piece of leather washed up on the mud.
"I picked it up and I immediately thought it looks like the sole of an old little shoe."
The leather was sent to the SUERC carbon dating unit in East Kilbride, Scotland, to find out who wore the little shoe, and Mr Tomlinson was told he "may need to sit down for the news".
"The date they had given me was just astonishing," the 51-year-old explained.
© Steve TomlinsonThe shoe after cleaning.
"Textiles like this don't survive often, they have to be found in anaerobic conditions."
It is thought that it was worn by a child aged two- to three-years-old, and measures 15cm in length.
In 2005, a 2,000-year-old shoe found by archaeologists excavating a quarry in Somerset was believed to be the UK's oldest.
But the discovery in Kent is even older - and is also potentially the smallest Bronze Age shoe ever found in the world.
Mr Tomlinson, who would not reveal which exact beach he found the artefact on, said: "I was so so excited, and the shock still hasn't quite sunk in.
"I will certainly look forward to the future and what we can all learn from this incredible find."
Now, further analysis is being carried out to try to determine the type of animal the leather was made from, and if any DNA can be sourced from the artefact.
Mr Tomlinson, who works with Canterbury Archaeological Trust, added: "Finding something like that is quite extraordinary.
"It opens up history too; we just know nothing about these kinds of things."
The ancient shoe is expected to go to the British Museum after further investigation has taken place.
Reader Comments
But let me refresh my memory, so we are (the West is in conflict with China. how come day, after day,container shipments from china, from Chinese factories. Are given contracts, to produce these goods from western nations.
Ah! it's all about money profits, and non union labor, hence, there has never been any real industrial productivity, in Western nations for at least the past 40 years.
having an interest in archeology, and the remains of our world, societies, the only thing, that is left, are natural products, produced from the earth we walk and live upon.
We continue to live amongst, overblown movers and shakers.
Shouldn't it be an admission more likes that it goes to destroying academia's narratives.
he dejectedly sits on a bar stool but orders nothing.
the bartender, seeing the sullen patron says, " what's up bud ? ".
the golfer says, " well, i worked hard, saved some money to do the two things i love: golfing and boating; i even opened a boat rental store, but no one seems to want to come and now i'm in financial trouble. "
the bartender says, " well maybe we can put an ad up here in the bar; what's the name of your boat rental store ? "
the golfer replies, "a hole in one".
... yes that's all the article is about, a sole from a golfer's shoe that fell overboard, bobbing along the Atlantic coast for a month and ... well, it reminds me of this ...
a door to door salesman rings the doorbell on a house, and a 12 year old kid opens the door, holding a glass of cognac and smoking a cigar.
the sales guy is a bit stunned, but plows forward and asks, "is your dad home ? "
the kid replies, " what the fuck do you think ? "
Speaking of shoes. Shared this yesterday, it's been my contact pic for years. Not that I need that much of a lift😅
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Here is guidance, the time has arrived.
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Does the underside of sole say ‘made in China’ ?