What is the new clue? A tunnel discovered by archaeologists. It is under the temple of the ancient city of Taposiris Magna, near Alexandria, Egypt. It is believed to be near the tomb of Cleopatra. Also the tomb of Mark Antony would be in the vicinity.
Taposiris Magna was founded around 280 B.C. It was founded by Ptolemy II, son of the famous general of Alexander the Great and one of Cleopatra’s ancestors. She herself ruled from 51 BC until her death by suicide in 30 BC.
Mark Antony and Cleopatra
The discovery is Kathleen Martinez and colleagues. They found the structure 13 meters underground. The tunnel, 2 m high, had been excavated through an incredible 1,305 meters of sandstone.
Parts of the Taposiris Magna tunnel are submerged in water. Leaving aside its resemblance to the Eupalinos tunnel, its purpose is currently unknown. Martinez has been working at Taposiris Magna since 2004 in search of the lost tomb of Cleopatra VII. He believes the tunnel could be a promising clue. Previously, excavations have yielded clues that seem to point to the famous queen and the last of the Ptolemies.
“If the tunnel leads to Cleopatra, it will be the most important discovery of the century,” said the Dominican researcher.
The team assumes that the temple was dedicated to the god Osiris and his queen, the goddess Isis. Previously, coins with the names and images of Cleopatra and Alexander the Great had already been found. Funerary pits with Greco-Roman burials have also been found in the temple.
According to experts, it is possible that Cleopatra and her husband Mark Antony were buried in similar tombs. And it is likely that this tunnel is close to Cleopatra’s tomb, from the clues described.
Soon to be discovered
The next stage will now be launched, which will consist of exploring the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Between 320 and 1303 AD, a series of earthquakes shook the coast and caused the collapse of part of the temple. It was engulfed by the waves.
These ruins could tell us more about the mysterious ancient city. The tunnel has already yielded some treasures: pieces of pottery and a rectangular block of limestone. Will we soon see the tomb of Egypt’s celebrated queen?
