A tunnel carved through layers of rock has been discovered beneath Egypt‘s ancient Taposiris Magna Temple, which may lead to the long-lost tomb of Cleopatra.
The tunnel, which is being hailed as a ‘geometric miracle’, stretches for more than 4,800 feet, measures about six feet high and is said to resemble the Tunnel of Eupalinos on the Greek island of Samos – revered as one of the most important engineering achievements of the Classical world.
Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez of the University of San Domingo has been convinced for more than a decade that Egypt’s last pharaoh Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony were laid to rest within the temple, and is sure the tunnel could be the path to this discovery.
The temple, whose name means ‘great tomb of Osiris’, is located near the ancient Egyptian capital of Alexandria.
Martinez told Heritage Key that there is a 1 per cent chance the queen is buried there and if she is, finding the remains of Egypt’s last pharaoh would be ‘the most important discovery of the 21st century.’
The carved rock, which is being hailed as a ‘geometric miracle’, stretches for more than 4,800 feet and measures about six feet high. Archaeologists are hopeful that Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony’s remains are at the end of the tunnel
Experts believe Cleopatra made plans for herself and Antony to be buried at a temple called Taposiris Magna in order to imitate the ancient myth of Isis and Osiris
The archaeologist believes that, after Mark Antony killed himself following his defeat to Octavian, Cleopatra put detailed plans in place for them both to be buried there, in echoes of the myth.
Martinez previously told National Geographic: ‘Cleopatra negotiated with Octavian to allow her to bury Mark Antony in Egypt.
‘She wanted to be buried with him because she wanted to reenact the legend of Isis and Osiris.
‘The true meaning of the cult of Osiris is that it grants immortality.
‘After their deaths, the gods would allow Cleopatra to live with Antony in another form of existence, so they would have eternal life together.’
Martinez may now be on the right track after uncovering the tunnel carved in rock that sits about 43 feet below the temple.
Teams working at the site found a part of the tunnel that was submerged under the Mediterranean, a number of pottery vessels and pottery tractors were found under the mud sediment, as well as a rectangular block of limestone and a blind completion.
The research team believes that the Taposiris Magna Temple’s foundation may also be underwater due to at least 23 earthquakes hitting the Egyptian coast between 320 AD and 1303 AD.
Martinez also uncovered several important artifacts inside the temple including coins bearing the images and names of both Queen Cleopatra, Alexander the Great and a number of beheaded statues, and statues of the goddess Isis, as well.
The tunnel sits about 43 feet underneath Egypt’s ancient Taposiris Magna Temple, or ‘Great tomb of Osiris’, located outside ancient Egypt’s capital Alexandria
During the excavations, part of the tunnel was discovered submerged beneath the Mediterranean, and a number of pottery vessels and pottery tractors were found under the mud sediment
Cleopatra ruled from 51 BC to 30 BC – right up until the day she died, Pictured is Elizabeth Taylor as the queen in the 1960 film Cleopatra
Cleopatra, often known as the world’s first celebrity, was the last of a long line to Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt – descended from Greek general Alexander the Great.
She ruled from 51 BC to 30 BC – up until the day she died.
Cleopatra became Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt, upon the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, and her brother was made King Ptolemy XIII at the same time. The siblings ruled Egypt under the formal title of husband and wife.
To gain support among the ancient Egyptian people, Cleopatra was also proclaimed the daughter of Re, the Egyptian sun god.
Cleopatra then fell in love with Mark Antony, who was Julius Caesar’s second in command.
However, Antony married another woman, Octavia, to mend a strained alliance with her brother, the ruler Octavian.
But Antony left his new wife for Cleopatra, according to the History Channel, and the lovers were then married, which violated a Roman law restricting Romans from marrying foreigners.
Octavian then declared war on Cleopatra and Antony, defeating them both.
Cleopatra then took refuge in the mausoleum she had commissioned for herself and her disappearance led to the belief that she had killed herself.
Archeologist Martinez may now be on the right track after uncovering the tunnel carved in rock
Ancient statues of the goddess Isis were also uncovered at the site, along with coins bearing the images and names of both Queen Cleopatra and Alexander the Great
Antony died in Cleopatra’s arms after fatally stabbing himself because he thought his queen had taken her own life.
Cleopatra did then kill herself shortly after her lover succumbed to his wounds – reportedly by letting a poisonous snake bite her.
Octavian returned to Italy where he became the first Emperor of Rome, while Cleopatra and Antony were buried somewhere in Egypt. And their tombs could be somewhere through the newly discovered tunnel.
Ancient accounts tell of a snake that was hidden inside a basket of figs brought in from the countryside and was used by the queen to commit suicide on August 12, 30 BC, as well as killing two of her servants.
But academics have dismissed the popular view, saying venomous snakes in Egypt, such as cobras and vipers, would have been too large to sneak unseen into the palace.
During previous excavation seasons, experts found important artifacts inside the Temple including coins bearing the images and names of both Queen Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and a number of beheaded statues, and statues of the goddess Isis
