Mitropolis (Gortyn, Crete, Greece), Excavations of the Episcopal Quartier

The excavation of the Early Byzantine Basilica of Mitropolis has become the centerpiece of an archaeological research project launched in 2023 through a collaboration between the Italian Archaeological School at Athens, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion, and the University of Bologna. This initiative aims to investigate one of Greece’s most significant churches from this period. Constructed atop earlier structures, the basilica underwent multiple transformations between the 5th and 8th centuries, reflecting the city’s dynamic historical and cultural developments. Recent stratigraphic investigations have revealed successive layers of activity, tracing both the basilica’s liturgical functions and its post-liturgical phases, including artisanal practices such as glassworking between the 8th and 9th centuries. By integrating material analysis, architectural studies, and advanced digital technolo- gies, this research not only deepens our understanding of Mediterranean trade and cultural networks but also contributes to the broader discourse on the so-called “Dark Centuries” of the Byzantine Empire.