Sacred Space and Identity: Insights from Archaeoanthropology, Historiography, and Archaeogenetics at the St. Isidore Cathedral of Chios Island, Greece

This article aims to present a comprehensive evaluation of two human burials unearthed during rescue excavations conducted in 1981/82 beneath the mosaic floor of the central nave of the Basilica of Saint Isidore, in the Letsaina area of the capital of Chios Island. The archaeological site of this Byzantine monument, characterized by architecturally complex stratigraphic sequences spanning different periods and adorned with elaborate mosaics reflecting its former grandeur, provided a multidimensional framework for the investigation. Whereas archaeological investigations were conducted prior to the site's recent and important restoration project, the archaeological interpretation presented herein reflects the stratigraphic framework and understandings established during the 1980s excavations. The specific construction and placement of the tomb, along with the absence of grave goods, posed significant challenges for its dating. Additionally, an intriguing aspect of their discovery was its evocation—according to tradition—with the burial of the martyrs Isidore and Merope in this sacred space, where the Byzantines erected monumental Christian structures in their honor.