The statue that reopens the mystery of Cleopatra's lost tomb

A recent discovery in Taposiris Magna, near Alexandria, rekindles the fascination with Cleopatra VII. A marble statue found could represent the last queen of Egypt, although some experts are doubtful and consider it a generic Hellenistic figure.

The discovery is part of decades of excavations led by Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martínez. Each finding brings new pieces to the mystery that keeps archaeology and popular culture in suspense.

Historic excavation in Taposiris Magna

The temple dedicated to Osiris has been the center of the research. This place was key in funerary rituals and in legitimizing power. This increases the possibility that the statue is linked to Cleopatra.

Martínez and her team have worked for years in the area, documenting coins, busts, and amulets that could be related to the queen. The appearance of this female figure could reinforce the hypothesis that Cleopatra's final years had a strong connection with this site.

A portrait open to debate

The statue features finely carved feminine traits, and some researchers see similarities with coins from the era. However, the Hellenistic style of the Ptolemaic period idealized faces, which makes it difficult to identify her with certainty as Cleopatra.

The lack of inscriptions or clear symbols leaves the piece open to interpretation. Even so, the possibility that it is a portrait of the queen once again puts the spotlight on the search for her tomb.

Treasures and tunnels beneath Taposiris Magna

Previously, Martínez's team found coins with Cleopatra's profile and a complex system of underground tunnels linked to Osiris's aquatic rituals. Each discovery brings pieces to an archaeological puzzle that is still incomplete.

The expectation is that these findings could eventually indicate the location of the tomb and offer more information about how Cleopatra wanted to be remembered by her subjects and by history.