The sands of time have yielded another tantalizing clue in the enduring mystery surrounding Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt. A small, hand-sized marble statue unearthed beneath the temple walls of Taposiris Magna – an ancient city near the Mediterranean Sea – has ignited a spirited debate within the archaeological community. The statue, depicting a woman adorned with a royal crown, has been tentatively identified by lead archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, of the Egyptian-Dominican excavation team, as the iconic queen herself.
Martinez’s assertion, relayed through a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, hinges on the significance of the find within the context of the ongoing excavation at Taposiris Magna. This site, with its numerous temples dedicated to deities like Osiris and Isis, has long been considered a potential location for Cleopatra’s tomb, a theory championed by Martinez for over a decade. The discovery of the bust, accompanied by 337 coins – many bearing Cleopatra VII’s likeness – further fuels her hypothesis. Additionally, the statue was part of a ‘foundation deposit,’ a collection of objects buried before the construction of an important structure, a common practice in ancient Egypt.
However, this interpretation is far from universally accepted. Renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of antiquities, expressed skepticism, stating in an email to Live Science that the statue’s artistic style suggests a Roman origin, dating it to after Cleopatra’s death in 30 BC. He highlighted a key distinction: Ptolemaic pharaohs were typically depicted using distinct Egyptian artistic conventions, unlike the Roman style evident in the bust. This divergence raises questions about its true subject, leaving open the possibility that it represents another royal woman or princess.
The excavation at Taposiris Magna has yielded more than just the intriguing bust. A fragment of another bust, this time depicting a king wearing the Nemes headdress, was found nearby. The identity of this king remains a mystery. Underwater exploration surrounding the ancient city further revealed a rich trove of artifacts including ceramic amphorae, coins, oil lamps, and other human busts. Additionally, the team uncovered a necropolis with at least 20 tombs near a separate temple dating back to the Ptolemaic period (fourth and second centuries BC).
The discovery underscores the ongoing efforts to unravel the mysteries of Cleopatra’s life and death. While the debate about the statue’s true subject rages on, it highlights the rich and complex history concealed beneath the sands of Taposiris Magna and the enduring fascination with Egypt’s last pharaoh. The ongoing excavations promise to continue revealing secrets about this pivotal period in Egyptian history, perhaps even settling the long-standing question of Cleopatra’s final resting place. The search continues, adding another compelling chapter to the enduring legend of Cleopatra VII.
