Archaeologists report the discovery of a sunken port about 3 kilometers off the coast of Alexandria, near the ruins of Taposiris Magna, which may be the key to unraveling the location of the tomb of the last Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII and her lover Mark Antony, writes the British newspaper “Daily Mail“, reported NOVA.
The port, located about 12 meters deep, was connected to the temple of Osiris in Taposiris Magna - – “great tomb of Osiris“. Archaeologists believe that this place may have played a key role in the burial of Cleopatra and Antony. Among the remains discovered are columns, polished stone floors, and numerous amphorae, which testify to a lively ancient maritime activity.
Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez has been studying Taposiris Magna since 2005 and has repeatedly found evidence of the possible location of the tomb. In 2022, her team discovered a 1,200-meter tunnel under the temple containing Ptolemaic-period pottery that leads to a submerged harbor, suggesting the existence of a hidden network.
“Nobody can tell me that Cleopatra is not in Taposiris Magna,“ Martinez told National Geographic.
Cleopatra ruled Egypt from 51 BC. until her death in 30 BC, following her defeat by Rome. She remains known as an ally and lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, with whom she is said to be buried. Archaeologists believe Cleopatra may have chosen Taposiris Magna as her final resting place, linking herself and Antony to the myth of Isis and Osiris.
The discovery will be the central theme of the documentary “Cleopatra's Last Secret“, which premieres on September 25 on National Geographic and the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Many archaeologists have previously believed that Cleopatra was buried near the royal palace in Alexandria, which was destroyed in an earthquake and tsunami in 365 AD. The new research leads Martinez to Taposiris Magna, a temple complex about 30 miles west of Alexandria in the coastal town of Borg el-Arab. The discovery of a sunken harbor suggests that Taposiris Magna was also a maritime trading center, far more extensive than previously thought.
The underwater team, led by legendary explorer Bob Ballard, known for discovering the “Titanic”, conducted a sonar survey of the seabed. They found structures including rectangular stone blocks, columns, amphorae and anchors from the time of Cleopatra, which indicate the port was in operation since the beginning of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Martinez and her team plan to continue the excavation both on land and underwater, using the 10-kilometer underwater terrain map compiled by Ballard.
“We will keep searching, finding Cleopatra's tomb is only a matter of time,“ she assures.
The discovery of the sunken port not only strengthens the archaeological significance of Taposiris Magna, but also expands the understanding of its role as a religious and maritime center during Cleopatra's time.