An extraordinary piece of ancient history that was missing for decades has finally made its way back home to Italy. This ancient Roman artifact had spent years quietly sitting in a New Orleans backyard disguised as ordinary garden landscaping.
The bizarre journey of the monument highlights how unexpected connections between the United States and Italy continue to surface. Readers interested in exploring more about heritage can check out our guide on local history for deeper context.
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Unearthing an Ancient Roman Secret
The incredible discovery began in early 2025 when a local couple was clearing weeds in their backyard. They stumbled upon a heavy marble slab bearing weathered, ancient Latin inscriptions that immediately caught their attention.
University researchers quickly analyzed the slab and identified it as a nearly 2,000-year-old Roman funerary monument. The inscription was dedicated to a 42-year-old sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus, offering a rare window into antiquity.
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The WWII Connection and Repatriation
Further investigation revealed that the artifact originally belonged to the National Archaeological Museum in Civitavecchia before vanishing. If you love tracking down cultural heritage sites, you might want to review our comprehensive list of attractions across the region.
A former resident soon stepped forward to explain that her grandfather, Charles Paddock, served in Italy during World War II. He had brought the historic stone home as a souvenir, and his relative unknowingly used it in garden landscaping in 2004.
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Authorities including the FBI’s Art Crime Team ultimately collaborated to handle the formal repatriation process. This ensured the precious antiquity was safely returned to its rightful institutional home in Italy.
Here is the source article for this story: A New Orleans couple found a 2,000-year-old Roman tombstone in their backyard; the FBI traced it to Italy and returned it 80 years later
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