About 200 leather fragments were discovered in excavations 1981-82 in Mainz (Germany). The finds were connected with the military activities of the romans in the 1st-4th centuries AD. The pieces were washed in water-disinfectant, then treated with brine (to restore collagen/tannin bond) or alcohol/water (to prevent corrosion of iron nails present). Treatment followed with a chelating agent (titriplex iii) to remove black iron tannate. Alcohol was used to reduce humidity to 14-20%. Stepwise dehydration and simultaneous oiling of the leather was followed by slow drying between sheets of blotting paper. Four types of Roman shoes were identified: sandals with strings (caliga); carabatina; sandals with closed toes (solea) and closed shoes (calceus). A replica of a foot mould was made and used in reconstruction of the shoes. It was found that the soles of roman footwear consisted of 1 to 4 layers of cowleather glued together with gummi resia mirrha. Photographs.