Cleopatra's true face? Archaeologists uncover statue near tomb believed to be Cleopatra's
By kevinhughes // 2024-12-16
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  • An archaeological team led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez found a white marble statue at Taposiris Magna Temple in Egypt. The statue, adorned with a royal crown, could potentially depict Queen Cleopatra, providing clues about her appearance.
  • The excavation site yielded numerous artifacts, including a king's statue, coins featuring Cleopatra, ritual pottery, bronze statues, and a scarab amulet. These items provide insights into the Ptolemaic period's religious, economic, and social aspects.
  • The site may be connected to the tombs of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Egypt's Zahi Hawass believes they are buried together in the region, and underground tunnels might lead to the burial site.
  • The discovery has sparked intense debate. Some experts view it as a breakthrough, while others argue the statue may represent another royal figure from the Ptolemaic dynasty due to discrepancies in facial features.
  • The discovery fuels speculation and debate, highlighting the challenges in piecing together historical narratives. Despite the controversy, the excavation continues to attract public and scientific interest, driving further research into Cleopatra's life and legacy.
In a recent excavation at Taposiris Magna Temple, located west of Alexandria, Egypt, an archaeological team has discovered a statue that is believed to reveal the true face of the legendary Queen Cleopatra. The discovery has sparked intense debate among experts, with some heralding it as a breakthrough in understanding the queen's appearance, while others argue that the statue likely depicts someone else from the Ptolemaic dynasty. The statue, a white marble piece adorned with a royal crown, was unearthed by an Egyptian-Dominican team led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez. It is believed to be one of the most significant finds at the site, as it potentially offers a glimpse into the true visage of Cleopatra, who ruled Egypt from 51 to 30 BC. This theory is supported by Martinez, who has dedicated nearly two decades to searching for the tomb of the queen. However, not all experts share the same view. Several facial features on the statue differ from the known depictions of Cleopatra, leading some scholars to suggest that the statue may instead represent a princess or another royal figure from the same era. The debate underscores the complexity of interpreting historical artifacts and the ongoing mystery surrounding Cleopatra's appearance.

Statue is part of a trove of artifacts unearthed at temple

The discovery of the statue is just one part of a broader trove of artifacts unearthed at the temple. Among these items, a half-length statue of a king wearing the Nemes headdress, 337 coins featuring Cleopatra's image, ritual pottery, oil lamps, several limestone containers, bronze statues and a scarab amulet inscribed with "The justice of Ra has arisen" have also been found. (Related: Archaeologists uncover a dark chapter in Ancient Egyptian history: 60 Mummies found with evidence of GRUESOME deaths.) These artifacts provide valuable insights into the religious, economic and social aspects of the Ptolemaic period. The excavation site at Taposiris Magna is believed to be connected to the final resting place of Cleopatra and her lover, Mark Antony, who both allegedly committed suicide after the Battle of Actium. "The long-lost tomb of Antony and Cleopatra will be eventually uncovered. The burial site has been finally estimated to be in the region of Taposiris Magna, 30 kilometers (18 miles) away from Alexandria. I hope to find the tomb of Antony and Cleopatra soon," Egyptian archaeologist and former Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass said. "I do believe that they are buried in the same tomb. We are so close to discover the accurate location of the tomb; we are on the right way. We know where exactly we have to dig." Hawass, however, expressed his apprehension concerning the statue: "I looked at the bust carefully. It is not Cleopatra at all. It is Roman," he said. According to Martinez, it's possible that Cleopatra's body was transported through a deep system of tunnels running 4,281 feet long and 43 feet underground before being buried at a secret location within the temple's ruins. The ongoing excavation has also revealed other significant finds, including a 2,000-year-old, gold-tongued mummy, which, while not directly linked to Cleopatra, adds to the intrigue surrounding the site. The discovery of Cleopatra-related artifacts at the temple further fuels the theory that she and Mark Antony are entombed within. Despite the excitement surrounding the statue discovery, experts caution that definitive proof of Cleopatra's identity remains elusive. The debate over the statue's true identity highlights the challenges in piecing together historical narratives from fragmented evidence. However, the findings continue to drive archaeologists and historians to unravel the mysteries surrounding one of ancient history's most enigmatic figures. While the discovery of Cleopatra's alleged true face remains a subject of speculation and disagreement, the ongoing excavation at Taposiris Magna continues to captivate the imagination of the public and the scientific community alike. Follow Artifacts.news for more news about archaeological discoveries. Watch this video about the discovery of coins from the ancient period showing Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This video is from the trustedcoins channel on Brighteon.com.

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