After more than 2,000 years of searching, researchers believe they are closer than ever to finding the final resting place of the famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony. A new discovery in the Mediterranean Sea could reveal one of the greatest archaeological treasures in history.
New diving research at a depth of about 12 meters has uncovered a sunken ancient port, located just three kilometers off the coast of Alexandria. According to researchers, the port was connected to the ancient city of Taposiris Magna, which housed a temple dedicated to Osiris, the god of death.
The city’s name – “the great tomb of Osiris ” – itself suggests its connection to funerary rituals. This is why archaeologists believe that this site could hide Cleopatra’s tomb.
An expedition that could change history
The discovery is the result of the work of Kathleen Martínez , a researcher and long-time “hunter” of Cleopatra’s tomb, in collaboration with legendary explorer Bob Ballard, known for finding the Titanic.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed the news on its official Facebook page, stressing that it is evidence of “ancient marine activities.”
Martínez told National Geographic: “After 2,000 years, no one has ever been here. We are the first.”
Traces of life and an underground tunnel found
The structure of the discovered port consists of columns, polished stone floors, and amphorae that were used to store wine, which shows that daily life and trade took place there.
But the most important clues were found in 2022, when Martínez and her team discovered 1.3-kilometer-long tunnels carved into the rocks beneath the ruins of Taposiris Magna. In them, ceramic vessels and jugs from the time of the Ptolemies, the dynasty to which Cleopatra belonged, were found.
According to her theory, Cleopatra’s body was carried through this tunnel to the port after her death, where she may have been buried alongside Mark Antony. The very fact that the tunnel leads directly to the port suggests that there was an intention to create a hidden funeral route.
Cleopatra – the last pharaoh of Egypt
Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. She ascended the throne in 51 BC and ruled until her death in 30 BC, at the age of 39.
She is known for her political and romantic alliances with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony, with whom she committed suicide after their defeat in the Roman civil wars. According to historical records, the couple were buried together, but the location of their tomb has never been discovered.
Cleopatra and Antony tried to portray their relationship through mythology – they were associated with the deities Isis and Osiris. According to the myth, Isis gathered the dismembered body of her husband Osiris and briefly revived him, which became a symbol of eternal life. Martínez believes that Cleopatra wanted to repeat this myth – to choose a place where she and Antony could be together forever, away from the eyes of the Romans.
“No one can tell me that Cleopatra is not in Taposiris Magna”
Martínez claims she is almost certain the tomb is there:
“No one can tell me that Cleopatra is not in Taposiris Magna. To prove it, you would have to excavate the entire area and not find her.”
She believes that the queen deliberately chose a location that would have been unthinkable to the Romans as a final resting place, thus managing to keep her secret even after more than two millennia.
Documentary reveals new details
A new documentary titled “Cleopatra’s Final Secret” features exclusive footage of the research. It premieres on Thursday, September 25th on National Geographic, and will be available on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
If Martínez’s assumptions prove correct, the world could witness one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time – the discovery of the tomb of the last Egyptian queen.
All the knowledge gained so far – the sunken port, underground tunnels and finds from the Ptolemaic period – indicate that history is on the verge of revealing one of its most hidden secrets.
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