The tunnel beneath the temple of Taposiris Magna is 2 metres high and extends 1,305 metres through sandstone. It is hoped that it will lead to the lost tomb of Cleopatra. Share this article Share this article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy link Link copied Bookmark this Comment
Archaeologists have made a surprising discovery – a tunnel beneath a temple in an Egyptian city. Kathleen Martinez of the University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic led a team that found it 13 metres (43 feet) below the surface in the Taposiris Magna area.
The two-metre-high passage was carved out of 1,305 metres (4,281 feet) of sandstone, an achievement that would have been difficult even with modern technology, let alone in ancient times.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has drawn parallels between the structure and the 1,306-metre-long Eupalinos Tunnel, an engineering marvel beneath a 6th-century BC aqueduct on the Greek island of Samos.
Martinez noted: “The ancient Egyptians communicate with us through their tombs.”
Founded around 280 BC by Ptolemy II, Taposiris Magna is of great historical significance. Ptolemy II Philadelphus was the ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt from 284 to 246 BC and was a descendant of Alexander the Great's famous general, Ptolemy I, Mirror US reports.
He is also considered one of Cleopatra's ancestors. The research team suggests that the temple in which the tunnel was found was dedicated to the deity Osiris and his wife, the goddess Isis.
The search for Cleopatra's mysterious tomb has received new impetus thanks to the discovery of a tunnel linked to the goddess Isis, whom the queen revered. Artifacts such as coins with images of Cleopatra and Alexander the Great, as well as statues of Isis, have been found in the temple.
Indy100 reports that archaeologist Kathleen Martinez has been excavating at Taposiris Magna since 2004, believing she is close to discovering the final resting place of Cleopatra VII, and a newly discovered tunnel provides a promising clue.
CBC highlights that Martinez has dedicated her entire life to unraveling the ultimate mystery: the location of Cleopatra's tomb. Martinez, originally from the Dominican Republic, grew up with her family's extensive private library, the largest in the Caribbean.
A gifted alumnus, Martinez graduated from law school at age 19, later established her own law practice, and then went on to earn a master's degree in finance.
Her academic career did not stop there: a master's degree in archaeology awakened in her an insatiable curiosity about ancient civilizations, which led her to an ongoing search for the secrets of Egypt's legendary queen.
Martinez expressed her ambition: “If I find her tomb, many myths about her will be dispelled. I would first go to Cleopatra's sarcophagus, touch it and tell her: 'The world has never forgotten you, Queen Cleopatra.'”
Deep in the tunnel, the researchers came across a variety of relics, including a limestone block and fragments of pottery, each of which brings them closer to one of the greatest archaeological finds in history.
The search for the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony continues, and the next step is likely to be to explore the nearby Mediterranean Sea, given that past earthquakes have left parts of the region underwater.
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email address
We use your registration to deliver content in ways you have consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include advertising from us and third parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.
Read more
Sourse: www.express.co.uk
