Archaeologists claim that Cleopatra’s tomb has been found. The tunnel carved in the rock where this grave was found is being considered a ‘geometrical miracle’. According to reports, a tunnel has been discovered 43 feet beneath Egypt’s ancient Taposiris Magna temple, or ‘Great Tomb of Osiris’. It is claimed that this tunnel could lead to the long-lost burial site of Egypt’s last pharaoh and her lover Mark Antony. It is claimed as Cleopatra’s tomb.
Work has been going on on this site for 10 years
Archaeologists in Egypt have been working on this site for more than 10 years. It is claimed that Cleopatra was buried beneath the Temple of Taposiris Magna, which is located near the ancient capital of Egypt, Alexandria. The tunnel found here is carved through layers of rock extends for more than 4,80 feet and is six feet high.
The carved rock is being hailed as a ‘geometric marvel’. It resembles the spectacular Tunnel of Eupalinos on the Greek island of Samos.
What archaeologist Kathleen Martinez says ?
Archaeologist Kathleen Martínez of the University of San Domingo has been convinced for more than a decade that Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony were laid to rest within the temple and that the tunnel could have been the route to the discovery of Cleopatra’s tomb.
Chance of the queen being buried
Martínez told Heritage Key there was a one percent chance the queen was buried there and, if she was, it would be ‘the most important discovery of the 21st century’.
Cleopatra wanted to be buried with her lover
Archaeologists believe that Mark Antony killed himself after his defeat by Octavian. But before his suicide, Cleopatra made elaborate plans for the burial of both of them. ‘Cleopatra negotiated with Octavian to allow her to bury Mark Antony in Egypt.
‘She wanted to be buried with him because she wanted to retell the legend of Isis and Osiris. ‘The true meaning of the cult of Osiris is that it grants immortality. It is said that after his death, the gods allowed Cleopatra to live with Antony in another form of existence so that they could achieve eternal life together.’
Teams working on the site found a section of the tunnel that was submerged beneath the Mediterranean waters, numerous pottery sherds and pottery tractors beneath the clay sediments, as well as a rectangular block of limestone. The research team believes that the foundation of the Taposiris Magna temple, located near the ancient Egyptian capital Alexandria, is also underwater due to at least 23 earthquakes that occurred off the coast of Egypt between 320 AD and 1303 AD.
Who was Cleopatra ?
Cleopatra, often referred to as the world’s first celebrity, was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty. He ruled from 51 BC to 30 BC – right up until the day he died.
Cleopatra became Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt upon the death of her father Ptolemy XII. And her brother was created King Ptolemy XIII at the same time – the siblings ruled Egypt under the formal title of husband and wife. However, the queen traces her family origins to Macedonian Greece and has no Egyptian blood.
She was declared as daughter of the Egyptian sun god Re
To gain support among the ancient Egyptians, Cleopatra was also declared the daughter of Re, the Egyptian sun god. Cleopatra fell in love with Mark Antony, who was the nephew of Julius Caesar. And heir to the Roman Empire after the assassination of her great-uncles.
However, Antony married Octavian to repair a strained alliance with another ruler. And after marrying Octavia, Antony left his new wife to spend time with Cleopatra. Octavian declared war on Cleopatra and Antony, defeating both of them. Cleopatra took refuge in the tomb he had built for herself, leading to rumors that she had killed herself. Antony died in Cleopatra’s arms after fatally stabbing himself, before she too committed suicide – reportedly by biting a poisonous snake. Octavian returned to Italy where he became Rome’s first emperor, while Cleopatra and Antony were buried in Egypt.