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| Roman boxing gloves unearthed by Vindolanda dig | Roman boxing gloves unearthed by Vindolanda dig |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Roman boxing gloves unearthed during an excavation near Hadrian's Wall are going on public display later. | Roman boxing gloves unearthed during an excavation near Hadrian's Wall are going on public display later. |
| Experts at Vindolanda, near Hexham, in Northumberland, believe they are "probably the only known surviving examples from the Roman period". | Experts at Vindolanda, near Hexham, in Northumberland, believe they are "probably the only known surviving examples from the Roman period". |
| Dr Andrew Birley, Vindolanda Trust director of excavations, described the leather bands as an "astonishing" find. | |
| The gloves were discovered last summer along with a hoard of writing tablets, swords, shoes and bath clogs. | The gloves were discovered last summer along with a hoard of writing tablets, swords, shoes and bath clogs. |
| Made of leather, they were designed to fit snugly over the knuckles and have the appearance of a protective guard. | Made of leather, they were designed to fit snugly over the knuckles and have the appearance of a protective guard. |
| 'Hairs stand up' | 'Hairs stand up' |
| Dr Birley said: "I have seen representations of Roman boxing gloves depicted on bronze statues, paintings and sculptures, but to have the privilege of finding two real leather examples is exceptionally special. | |
| "The hairs stand up on the back of your neck when you realise you have discovered something as astonishing as these boxing gloves." | "The hairs stand up on the back of your neck when you realise you have discovered something as astonishing as these boxing gloves." |
| The larger of the two is filled with natural material, which would have acted as a shock absorber. | The larger of the two is filled with natural material, which would have acted as a shock absorber. |
| The smaller glove, found "in near perfect condition", is filled with a coil of hard, twisted leather. | The smaller glove, found "in near perfect condition", is filled with a coil of hard, twisted leather. |
| It is understood they would have been used for sparring sessions as they do not have metal inserts used in ancient boxing bouts. | It is understood they would have been used for sparring sessions as they do not have metal inserts used in ancient boxing bouts. |