In New Orleans, a married couple recently made an incredible discovery while digging around in their yard. They came across a Roman tombstone to a sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus. The tombstone which was on display is from the second century. It almost certainly came to New Orleans at some point in the 20th century – most likely post-World War II.
In 2018, Lorenz and Santoro purchased the home from Frank and Selma Simon’s family. The Simons were family of the place, having occupied the same residence for the first half of the 1900s. After Frank Simon’s death in 1945, his daughters held onto the property within the home until 1991. As the couple cleared their yard, an old tombstone suddenly appeared in their yard. This most welcome surprise now raised important questions and prompted a host of further investigations into its mysterious origins.
The inscription on the tombstone, carved in elegant Latin on its surface, bears witness to its very ancient provenance. Experts believe it fits the description of a work reported missing from the city museum of Civitavecchia, Italy. This museum, which housed various artifacts from ancient Rome, suffered extensive damage during World War II due to Allied bombing campaigns between 1943 and 1944. It was not able to reopen until 1970 at which time it had lost a large part of its collection.
Congenius Verus’s tombstone was recorded by the 1954 inventory of the museum, the fact finding survey. It had been rooted in previous reports, not personal experience. This crucial detail opens the door to the hope that maybe the tombstone was lost in the confusion of war.
Gray, an expert involved in the investigation of the tombstone’s origins, explained, “This made it all the more likely that the item was lost in the chaos after the war.” He further speculated on how the tombstone ended up in New Orleans: “Perhaps a family member or someone cleaning out the house after a sale saw it just as a convenient paving stone for a muddy yard.”
The couple’s discovery has led to significant interest from authorities, prompting them to turn over the tombstone to the FBI’s art crime team. This decision represents a major milestone towards repatriating it to Italy, where it belongs. Once there, it can fully enjoy its deserved glory in the historical context of Civitavecchia.
This tombstone does more than deepen our understanding of Roman history, it highlights the need to prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage.
The investigations are far from over. The local historians and international authorities alike are eager to find out how this ancient artifact came to find its way to Louisiana. The tale of Sextus Congenius Verus is indeed fascinating. This sailor, whose life we still know little about, has created a special bond with contemporary New Orleans, joining past and present together in perfect harmony.