Macedonio's Tombstone

Christianity arrived in what is now the province of Huesca at a time when North African communities were thriving. Its arrival is reflected in three remarkable Early Christian tombstones dating back to the second half of the 4th century, from the Monte Cillas necropolis in Coscojuela de Fantova, Somontano de Barbastro. They are now on display in the Huesca Museum. This tombstone uses the opus tesselatum mosaic technique, and depicts the deceased presbyter, or elder, Macedonio, as the Good Shepherd. He is dressed in a short tunic, carrying a lamb on his shoulders and holding its legs with both hands. The template for this Early Christian motif comes from the Greek sculpture of Moschophorus, or The Calf Bearer, which is given a new meaning. The Latin inscription in the top third indicates that the tombstone was commissioned by his wife to decorate his grave.