THE SEARCH FOR CLEOPATRA

Where is Egypt’s last pharaoh?

After Cleopatra’s suicide in August 30 BCE, it was widely believed that she was buried in a mausoleum with her lover, Mark Antony. Unfortunately, there is little archaeological evidence for Cleopatra’s life in Egypt and her tomb, along with the tombs of all the Ptolemaic pharaohs, has so far eluded discovery.

However, there was renewed excitement when archaeologists, led by Dr Kathleen Martinez, believed that they were close to finding the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony while excavating at the site of Taposiris Magna, an ancient temple that is located around 48km to the west of Alexandria.

Within this temple, a smaller Ptolemaic temple dedicated to the goddess Isis was discovered, alongside a hoard of coins with Cleopatra’s name and face at the temple altar. Archaeologists also uncovered a burial chamber with two mummies of high-status individuals inside, with evidence suggesting that they were originally covered in gold leaf. The presence of these mummies indicates that Taposiris Magna was used in Cleopatra’s reign and that the queen may have chosen to be buried here.

Nevertheless, there is no evidence to suggest that Cleopatra was ever buried at Taposiris Magna and most scholars believe that she would have been buried in Alexandria, her home city – and that her tomb is now deep underwater. While there seems to be little chance that we will ever find Cleopatra’s final resting place, it will certainly continue to be a matter of interest for years to come.