In a fascinating turn of events, a routine garden overhaul for one couple in New Orleans led to the unexpected discovery of a 2nd-century Roman headstone buried in their backyard. Anthropologist Daniella Santoro and her husband Aaron Lopez stumbled upon the marble slab etched in Latin, bearing the phrase “spirits of the dead,” sparking a sense of intrigue and mystery.
Upon further investigation by experts, including archaeologist Susann Lusnia and anthropologist D. Ryan Gray, it was confirmed that the stone was indeed a Roman funerary tablet dedicated to a Thracian soldier named Sextus Congenius Verus. The grave marker detailed his military service and age at the time of his death, dating back nearly 1,900 years.
Interestingly, the headstone had a documented history, previously part of the collection at the National Archaeological Museum of Civitavecchia, Italy, before being lost during wartime bombing in the 1940s. The stone eventually made its way to the United States, where it was displayed as a family heirloom in the home of a WWII veteran.
Now, after more than 80 years, the FBI’s Art Crime Team is coordinating the headstone’s repatriation to its original museum in Italy, closing the chapter on a long-lost artifact’s journey across continents and decades. The mysterious origins of how the stone ended up in a New Orleans backyard may never be fully uncovered, but its return to its rightful place signifies a poignant connection to the Roman soldier it commemorates.
This remarkable tale of ancient discovery and historical preservation serves as a reminder of the enduring significance of cultural artifacts and the importance of safeguarding our shared heritage for future generations. The Roman headstone’s journey from a forgotten garden relic to a symbol of transatlantic history is a testament to the enduring legacy of the past in shaping our present and future.
