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Around the globe, footwear exhibits an infinite array of styles, sizes, and materials. From sagebrush bark sandals to stilettos to space boots, shoes aren't just foot protection—they're a statement.

In a way that few possessions can, shoes communicate information about individuals, geographic area, cultures, and human history. They can discretely reveal clues about the physical stature of the owner, proclaim one's ethnicity, convey economic status, and communicate one's sense of style.

The museum's collections include more than 70 pairs of shoes. Shown here is a small selection that was featured the 2008 exhibition, Walk a Mile in These Shoes—The Stories They Tell.

Images © UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Production of this gallery was generously supported by The Ford Family Foundation.

Beaded Mocassins: Warm Springs, Oregon

Catalog #1-2486
Beaded Moccasins: Warm Springs, Oregon

Beaded Mocassins Detail: Warm Springs, Oregon

Catalog #1-2486
Beaded Moccasins Detail: Warm Springs, Oregon

Sagebrush Sandals: Fort Rock Cave, Oregon, ca. 10,000 years old

Catalog #1-33612 and #1-31699
Sagebrush Sandals: Fort Rock Cave, Oregon, ca. 10,000 years old

Sagebrush Sandals Detail: Fort Rock Cave, Oregon, ca. 10,000 years old

Catalog #1-31699
Sagebrush Sandals Detail: Fort Rock Cave, Oregon, ca. 10,000 years old

Beaded Mocassins: Blackfoot or Absaroka

Catalog #2-1077
Beaded Moccasins: Blackfoot or Absaroka

Beaded Mocassins Detail: Blackfoot or Absaroka

Catalog #2-1077
Beaded Moccasins Detail: Blackfoot or Absaroka

Beaded Mocassins: Sioux

Catalog #2-2370
Beaded Moccasins: Sioux

Beaded Mocassins Detail: Sioux

Catalog #2-2370
Beaded Moccasins Detail: Sioux

Yucca Sandals: New Mexico, between 700 and 1100 years old

Catalog #2-2695 and #2-2686
Yucca Sandals: New Mexico, between 700 and 1100 years old

Yucca Sandals Detail: New Mexico, between 700 and 1100 years old

Catalog #2-2686
Yucca Sandals Detail: New Mexico, between 700 and 1100 years old

Beaded Mocassins: probably Interior Far North

Catalog #2-6916
Beaded Moccasins: probably Interior Far North

Beaded Mocassins Detail: probably Interior Far North

Catalog #2-6916
Beaded Moccasins Detail: probably Interior Far North

Snow Shoes: Central Canada, 19th century

Catalog #2-7571
Snow Shoes: Central Canada, 19th century

Snow Shoes Detail: Central Canada, 19th century

Catalog #2-7571
Snow Shoes Detail: Central Canada, 19th century

Mukluks: Alaska, 20th century

Catalog #2-15785
Mukluks: Alaska, 20th century

Mukluks Detail: Alaska, 20th century

Catalog #2-15785
Mukluks Detail: Alaska, 20th century

Beaded Mocassins: Central Plains

Catalog #2-15875
Beaded Moccasins: Central Plains

Beaded Mocassins Detail: Central Plains

Catalog #2-15875
Beaded Moccasins detail: Central Plains

Quilted Shoes: Asia

Catalog #8-152
Quilted Shoes: Asia

Quilted Shoes Detail: Asia

Catalog #8-152
Quilted Shoes Detail: Asia

Women's Zori: Japan, 20th century

Catalog #8-296
Women's Zori: Japan, 20th century

Women's Zori Detail: Japan, 20th century

Catalog #8-296
Women's Zori detail: Japan, 20th century

Palace Guard Shoes: Greece, 20th century

Catalog #9-149
Palace Guard Shoes: Greece, 20th century

Palace Guard Shoes Detail: Greece, 20th century

Catalog #9-149
Palace Guard Shoes Detail: Greece, 20th century

Women’s Boots: Irkutsk Province, Siberia, 20th century

Catalog #9-218
Women’s Boots: Irkutsk Province, Siberia, 20th century

Women’s Boots Detail: Irkutsk Province, Siberia, 20th century

Catalog #9-218
Women’s Boots Detail: Irkutsk Province, Siberia, 20th century

Shoes: Congo, 19th century

Catalog #10-214
Shoes: Congo, 19th century

Shoes Detail: Congo, 19th century

Catalog #10-214
Shoes Detail: Congo, 19th century

Shoes: India

Catalog #8-1319
Shoes: India

Shoes Detail: India

Catalog #8-1319
Shoes Detail: India