05/22/2026
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During a massive excavation for an undersea railway tunnel in Istanbul, archaeologists uncovered a pair of women’s sandals with a Greek inscription that still reads: “Use in health, lady, wear in beauty and happiness.”
The sandals were part of a trove of artifacts unearthed during the Marmaray project, which connected the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. The dig revealed 60,000 objects, including shipwrecks, skeletons, and 8,500‑year‑old footprints. But the sandals stand out for their intimacy. They belonged to a Byzantine woman, probably of modest means, and the inscription was meant to be seen by her – and only her.
The Byzantines were the continuation of the Roman Empire in the East. Their capital, Constantinople (now Istanbul), was a center of wealth and trade. Red dye was reserved for imperial shoes, but women’s footwear was often colorful and decorated. These sandals are a reminder that even in a bustling, sprawling empire, personal messages of love and care were carved into everyday objects.
