Archaeologists have been on the search for a lost tomb of a great Egyptian queen; one of the last of the Ptolemian dynasty before the Romans conquered Ancient Egypt. The tomb hasn’t yet been found but there are many clues leading to what might be the find of the century. There are a few main spots where archaeologists and maritime explorers have been searching for decades;
- The Mediterranean Ocean
- Taposiris Magna Temple
The Mediterranean Ocean
Scientists have found 2/3 of the ancient Egyptian civilization in the depths of the Mediterranean ocean. Maritime geologists have found ancient pottery, sandstone sphinxes and many more signs of a lost, sunken city beneath the waters.
Taposiris Magna
Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez has been excavating the site, having found over 1500 debris of carvings and parts of ancient temples. Having unearthed the temple of the goddess Isis, most people believe that Taposiris Magna is the most likely place for Cleopatra to be buried.
Why is Taposiris Magna most likely?
Taposiris Magna holds the legendary Temple of Osiris. As a known fact, Cleopatra herself may have believed that she was the earthly form of the goddess Isis and the people believed so too. Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were known as the earthly forms of the gods Isis and Osiris. As in the legend Isis married Osiris and so Cleopatra wedded Mark Anthony and the Temple of Osiris was created for Isis and Osiris, making it the most likely place for the queen to be buried. Cleopatra had a great obsession for Ancient Egypt in her times and was quite absorbed in the religious rituals of the society. Another significant finding as proof for this fact is that the suspected type of snake that Cleopatra used to kill herself, was worshipped by ancient Egyptians 300 years before her time. This indicated that Cleopatra was exceptionally intrigued by the ancient history of her kingdom.
Excavations in Taposiris Magna
Kathleen Martinez, more strongly than others, believes that Queen Cleopatra is most likely to be buried in Taposiris Magna. There have been some remarkable findings in the Temple of Osiris. A tunnel going towards a trapdoor was found. It is still to be searched, since it was found flooded with water.
Although we might never find Cleopatra’s lost tomb, the great Queen of the Kingdom of Ancient Egypt will always remain a heroine in the minds of those interested in the civilization of Ancient Egypt.
Sethmi Hettiarachchi (Grade 9)
Musaeus College, Colombo 7
