New Orleans couple digs up ancient Roman artifact in backyard, sets off worldwide mystery

A New Orleans couple's backyard gardening project led to an international archaeological sensation. Daniella Santoro, a Tulane University anthropologist, was clearing away weeds when she stumbled upon a marble tablet etched with Latin text. As news of the discovery spread, officials from the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans confirmed that the stone had been missing from an Italian museum for decades.

The artifact, inscribed with the name Sextus Congenius Verus, is believed to be a 2,000-year-old Roman funerary relic honoring a sailor. The previous owners of the stone were Erin Scott O'Brien's grandparents, Charles and Adele Paddock, who had purchased it from an Italian museum in Civitavecchia, Italy, before World War II.

According to O'Brien, she and her husband had placed the slab in their garden as part of a landscaping project. When asked if she realized what they had unearthed, she replied, "I just thought it was a piece of art." The artifact's repatriation has sparked international attention, with experts hailing it as one of the most unique stories in recent New Orleans history.

The FBI is currently holding custody of the relic, which will be returned to Italy. Preservation in Print editor Daniel Monteverde described the discovery as "a no-brainer" for his publication, noting that it was a great story to share due to its historical significance and uniqueness.

I'm still reeling from this crazy news! I mean, who wouldn't want to stumble upon an ancient Roman relic in their own backyard? I can just imagine Daniella Santoro's face when she found that marble tablet - she must've been totally shocked . And I love how the previous owners had no idea what they were dealing with either, it's like the stone was hiding in plain sight . The whole story is just so fascinating, from the history behind the artifact to the international attention it's getting. It's amazing how something that was lost for decades can end up being rediscovered and repatriated . I'm curious to know more about the Sextus Congenius Verus legend - apparently it's a sailor-themed funerary relic, which sounds pretty cool ‍.

I'm low-key impressed by this NOLA couple's backyard gardening skills . Can you imagine stumbling upon something that old in your yard? I mean, who needs weeds when you've got ancient history ! Anyway, I think it's awesome how the artifact is being repatriated back to Italy - it's only right after all these years . But at the same time, I wonder what else is lurking in our gardens and yards that we don't know about... like, who knows if there are other ancient relics just waiting to be discovered?

I mean, can you even imagine stumbling upon something like this in your own backyard?! It's crazy how life has a way of surprising us, right? I've got a friend who lives in LA and she found an old VHS player in her garage that turned out to be super rare. She was able to sell it for a pretty penny! Anyway, back to the marble tablet... 2,000 years old is just mind-blowing. You feel like you're literally stepping into history when you hear stories like this

I'm like totally fascinated by this whole deal! I mean, who knew something so ancient was just chillin' in some backyard? I can see why the Italians are all over it, repatriation is a big deal for 'em. It's pretty cool that Daniella Santoro stumbled upon it while just doin' her thing with weeding. And the history behind it, man... 2,000 years old! That's like, ancient ancient. I love how the locals are embracing it too, it's not like they're makin' a big deal out of it or anythin'. It's all pretty laid back and respectful, which is awesome. The FBI holdin' onto it for now makes sense, but it's gonna be great to see it go back home eventually

I mean can you even imagine finding something like that in your backyard ?? I'm literally living vicariously through Daniella Santoro right now! She must've had no idea what she was dealing with, just some old weeds to clear away And her grandparents having it all along, wow. This is honestly one of the coolest things I've heard about in ages. The fact that it's a 2,000-year-old relic from Rome? Mind blown! I'm just so glad it's being repatriated to Italy now too, it's like this amazing treasure getting back where it belongs

omg can u believe this?! some couple's backyard gardening project turns out to be an INTERNATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SENSATION lol they found a 2k yr old roman marble tablet in their garden and it's been missing from an italian museum for DECADES the fact that they just thought it was a piece of art is just too funny i mean, what are the chances right? anyway, glad to see it getting repatriated to its rightful place in italy

I mean, come on, if they didn't even bother to research what they had, how did it end up in their garden? It's like they just thought it was some random art piece or something . And now everyone's making a big deal about it because... well, it's old and interesting, I guess . The fact that the FBI is holding onto it for so long is pretty weird too, I mean, can't they just send it back to Italy already? It's not like it's some valuable treasure or anything . But hey, at least Daniella Santoro got to be all fancy with her archaeological thingy , and the O'Briens get to be internet famous .

What's up with these people? First, they buy a marble slab from an Italian museum like it's nothing, and then they just stick it in their garden without even thinking if it's valuable or not. I mean, come on! It's not like you're gardening for carrots or something. And now the FBI is holding onto it like it's a crime scene? Can't people just be responsible with other people's stuff for once? And Italy is gonna be so happy to get it back... about time too!

️ sextus Congenius Verus
2k yrs old relic = priceless
who knew weeds could be history
Italy wants back their baby
just a piece of art... no idea
"no-brainer" for historians

This story just blows my mind ... who knew something like this could be hiding in plain sight in someone's backyard? I mean, can you even imagine digging up an ancient Roman relic by accident? The fact that it was just passed down through generations and ended up as a garden ornament is crazy. I love how the husband thought it was "just a piece of art" – like, no kidding! It's definitely not your average sculpture . The repatriation to Italy makes sense though, it's only right that this piece of history goes back to where it belongs. Fingers crossed everything gets sorted out smoothly

just wow this is amazing! i mean, who would've thought a marble tablet just chillin' in someones backyard would be an archaeological sensation? it's crazy how our daily lives can lead us to something so incredible. and the fact that it was just being used as a piece of art without anyone noticing its history... speaks volumes about how much we take for granted

lol what's up with ppl always diggin stuff in their backyard lol... but seriously, I mean this is like, who knew having a fancy art piece just chillin in ur garden could be so historically significant? like, I can see why it'd spark international attention now that it's confirmed to be legit. but still, I kinda feel bad for the ppl who found out about it after all these years... like what if they were gonna get rich offa it or somethin' anyway, Italy gets its baby back and good on 'em!