A team of archeologists may be on the cusp of the “most important [discovery] of the 21st century” after unearthing a tunnel that potentially leads to Cleopatra’s tomb.
The 1500-metre tunnel was discovered beneath an Egyptian temple last week, boasting 1.8-metre high walls and two headstones deemed by archeologists as “geometric miracles”. The discovery mission, which was hailed a success by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, was led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez of the University of San Domingo, who believes it to be the entryway to the tomb of Cleopatra and her lover, Roman General Mark Antony.
Located 13 metres below the surface of the earth, the tunnel is located in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, where the Queen was believed to have died at 39 years old. The research team also found ancient artefacts inside the temple which point to Cleopatra’s presence, including coins bearing the names of both herself and the ancient Greek warrior king Alexander the Great: “This is the perfect place for the tomb of Cleopatra,” Martinez said.
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She continued: “[If discovered], the tomb would be the most important discovery of the 21st century.” Despite being one of history’s most famous rulers, Cleopatra’s final resting place remains an unsolved mystery, with further investigation of the tunnel currently paused due to some of it being under the water of the Mediterranean Sea. Martinez’ discovery forms part of a broader mission to locate the Egyptian Queen’s whereabouts, which has been underway for nearly 20 years.
👀💭 #Archaeologists have discovered a rock-cut tunnel beneath Egypt's #ancient #Taposiris Magna Temple, which may lead to the lost #tomb of #Cleopatra, who was the last ruler of #Ptolemaic #Egypt. The #Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & #Antiquities announced the find last week. pic.twitter.com/7rqLrIzUC6
— Third Eye Seeks 🪬 (@Third_Eye_Seeks) November 9, 2022
Cleopatra ruled Egypt from 51 to 30 B.C.E. She famously died by suicide, soon after Antony also took his own life, with the pair long believed to have been buried together. Cleopatra’s love affairs with both Antony and Roman dictator Julius Caesar have since inspired centuries of poetry, art and film.
