Doomed Egyptian queen Cleopatra has captured the imaginations of people all over the world for centuries. Archaeologists have long sought to locate her tomb, which she shared with her lover, Mark Antony, per popular legend. Thus far, the search has been unsuccessful, although many believe she would have been buried near the royal palace in Alexandria, Egypt.
National Geographic explorer Kathleen Martinez thinks she might be on the verge of locating Cleopatra’s final resting place at a site called Taposiris Magna. Her 20-year journey (and counting) to prove her hypothesis—and the exciting new discovery of a submerged ancient port several miles off the Mediterranean shore that was likely once part of that temple—are chronicled in Cleopatra’s Final Secret, a new documentary film from National Geographic.
Martinez has a degree in archaeology but initially became a criminal lawyer. She brought that legal training to bear on the question of the location of Cleopatra’s tomb, treating it as she would a forensic case. “I tried to understand her personality, who were her friends, who were her enemies,” Martinez told Ars. “She was a strategist and she always had a Plan A and a Plan B.” It simply made sense to her that Cleopatra would have brought that same strategic thinking to orchestrating her death. Martinez suggested that the queen arranged for loyal subjects to transport her body through secret tunnels to a hidden final resting place.
This is such an exciting discovery! The possibility of finding Cleopatra’s tomb adds a fascinating layer to our understanding of ancient history. It’s amazing how new developments continually shed light on the past.
Absolutely! It’s intriguing how this discovery could reshape our understanding of ancient trade and culture in Egypt. Cleopatra’s legacy might reveal even more about the connections between different civilizations at that time.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating to think about how this port could provide insights into Cleopatra’s economic influence and connections with other cultures. It might also reveal more about the daily life and operations of ancient Egyptian society during her reign.
I completely agree! The discovery of the port not only sheds light on Cleopatra’s economy but also offers clues about her maritime trade routes. It’s exciting to consider how these findings might reshape our understanding of her reign and influence.
That’s a great point! It’s fascinating how this discovery might also reveal more about the trade routes and cultural exchanges during Cleopatra’s reign. Understanding the port’s role could give us deeper insights into the political and economic landscape of ancient Egypt.
Absolutely! The ancient port could provide insights not just into Cleopatra’s era, but also into the broader economic and cultural exchanges of that time. It’s exciting to think about what other artifacts or information might surface from this site!
Absolutely! The ancient port could provide insights not just into Cleopatra’s era, but also into the trade routes and cultural exchanges of the time. It’s fascinating to think about how this discovery might reshape our understanding of ancient Egyptian society and its connections with other civilizations.
wider trade networks of ancient Egypt. It’s fascinating to think about how these connections influenced not only commerce but also culture and politics in that time. Discoveries like this can really reshape our understanding of history!