The catacombs of Santa Lucia were built during the 3rd century CE in Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, as a burial site for
members of the local Christian community until the early 8th century CE. This site is an important cemeterial
context of the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. The tombs and artifacts found suggest that individuals of
varying wealth were buried in the catacombs. Historical accounts also confirm the presence of a significant
Christian community from Syria and the Levant in Siracusa during this period. The objective of this research is to
investigate the life histories of the Late Antique community interred in the catacombs using stable isotope
analysis. This technique aimed to clarify the dietary differences between individuals of different social status and
geographical origins, in order to re-evaluate the data from historical documents. To achieve this, we conducted
stable carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope analyses on skeletal samples from 25 individuals recovered from the
catacombs of Santa Lucia, using established methods. The results revealed significant dietary diversity among the
individuals buried in the catacombs, with evidence of the consumption of both C3 and C4 plants, as well as fish
from both freshwater and sea sources.
The oxygen isotopes show a particularly broad range in both the small sample set of bones and the larger set of
teeth, suggesting a significant degree of mobility for most of the individuals tested. The high variability found in
the diet and the evidence of mobility for most of the individuals tested not only between early age and adulthood,
but also throughout their lives. It raises new questions and calls for the consideration of the archaeological and
historical implications of these novel discoveries
