The marble statue’s head likely depicts the face of Queen Cleopatra
photo: ministry of tourism and egyptian antiquities
With the announcement related to Queen Cleopatra, a team of archaeologists led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez of Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (Dominican Republic) coordinated with the Egyptian side in the mission to excavate the temple in Taposiris Magna, west of Alexandria (Egypt).
Among them, the ancient citadel of Taposiris Magna was established by Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus from 280 to 270 BC.
During their work here, they found a marble statue head of a woman, leading experts to suggest that the temple at Taposiris Magna, meaning “great tomb of Osiris”, may have been the site. The final resting place of the talented queen belongs to the Ptolemaic Dynasty.
Besides the statue’s head, archaeologists found a number of other antiques, including 337 coins with the woman’s face printed on them, ceramic jars used in rituals, oil lamps, and statues. bronze, a limestone box containing makeup, and other antiques.
Dr. Martinez is the person who has spent nearly 20 years searching for the missing grave of Queen Cleopatra. In the process, she also found the ruins of a Greek temple dating from the 4th century BC.
Some other antiques were unearthed at the temple
photo: ministry of tourism and egyptian antiquities
Page Interesting Engineering Citing a press release from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the team also discovered a large cemetery with 20 tombs, along with an underground tomb beneath the ancient lighthouse of Taposiris Magna.
“The tomb consists of three rooms, one of which contains nine white marble statue heads and other antiquities,” according to the statement, adding that the team of experts also found a bronze ring from the late Ptolemaic Dynasty. .
However, not everyone agrees with the theory that the group found a statue of Queen Cleopatra.
Page Live Science Citing Mr. Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, he rejected this possibility because he said that the statue’s facial features do not match the long-standing description of the famous queen.
Efforts to excavate the temple at Taposiris Magna continue.
