A statue discovered at what is believed to be Cleopatra’s tomb may reveal the true face of the ancient Egyptian queen, according to a scientist. The find was made at the Taposiris Magna Temple, located west of Alexandria, beneath the southern wall of the temple’s outer perimeter.
The discovery was part of an Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña. The team unearthed artifacts and ceremonial objects from the late Ptolemaic period. Among them is a white marble statue of a woman wearing a royal crown, which Dr. Martinez believes depicts Cleopatra VII, as reported by Daily News Egypt. Martinez, who has spent nearly two decades searching for Cleopatra’s tomb, claims the statue may reveal the queen’s true face.
However, some experts disagree, pointing out differences between the statue’s facial features and known depictions of Cleopatra. They suggest the statue could represent another figure, such as a princess from the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Other notable discoveries at the site include a half-length statue of a king wearing the Nemes headdress, 337 coins with Cleopatra VII’s image. Ritual pottery, oil lamps, limestone containers, bronze statues, a scarab amulet inscribed with “The justice of Ra has arisen,” and numerous other artifacts.
The temple is linked to a complex network of deep tunnels stretching from Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean Sea. Over the years, additional significant finds at the tomb have included a 2,000-year-old gold-tongued mummy and various other relics.
