Digging for Cleopatra's Tomb at Taposiris Magna

Submitted by Sean Williams on Tue, 11/17/2009 - 11:22

It's the most exciting project in Egypt, and one that's captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world: could Kathleen Martinez have discovered the tomb of Cleopatra? The Dominican expert certainly thinks so, and tells Heritage Key all about it in this special video.

A Long Route to Egypt

It has taken Dr Martinez ten years to convince herself Taposiris Magna, just outside Alexandria, is the famous queen's final resting place. And she knew from the off she had to get out in the field herself to have any chance of finding the tomb. "I needed to come to Egypt...to see the remains of this temple, to be sure that it has the possibility of being the lost tomb of Cleopatra."

"This is the perfect place for the tomb of Cleopatra."

Yet Martinez thought she had no chance of securing a spot in the field until she got a letter from Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, headed by Dr Zahi Hawass (watch the fascinating video about the project with Dr Hawass here) "They would give me two months only to prove my theory," says Martinez. "In archaeology, two months is nothing." The race was on: could Martinez capture her holy grail, and find the tomb of Egypt's last queen?

Time Running Out

Coins Found in the Temple of Taposiris Magna. Image Credit - Supreme Council of Antiquities. Almost two months in the project seemed doomed to failure. But just as things were coming to a close, Martinez' team hit gold. Tunnels were found, which would eventually reach a depth of 35m. They're still being cleaned today, after Dr Hawass granted Martinez another season to prove her claim. To date the team's biggest find has been a cemetery outside the temple, "which is the proof that in this area there is a royal tomb," Martinez says excitedly.

Martinez feels a sense of responsibility for finding Cleopatra, an ancient character long draped in romance and legend. "If there's a one per cent chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her." So far the team has unearthed a huge number of Greco-Roman artefacts, including coins with Cleopatra's head on them. Dr Hawass has already hailed the dig as a success, whatever its outcome: "If we discover the tomb...it will be the most important discovery of the 21st century. If we do not discover the tomb...we made major discoveries here, inside the temple and outside the temple."

A World-changing Discovery?

Martinez is captivating, and her passion for the discovery is clear to see. She knows this could be one of the world's greatest discoveries, and a smile beams across her face. "We have changed forever what they know about funerary temples. This is the perfect place for the tomb of Cleopatra."

HD Video: Search for the Tomb of Cleopatra (Featuring Dr. Kathleen Martinez)

What do you think will happen at Taposiris Magna? Is it the perfect place to find Cleopatra? And what about Mark Antony - was he buried with his great love? Have your say, either via the comments box below, our contact page or by emailing me direct. You can watch a whole host of great videos here at Heritage Key - from the perils of Venice to the lost tombs of Thebes. Catch us here or on YouTube.

Read 14 comments, or leave your own

About The Author

Sean Williams (follow me: e-mail or

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Last three pieces by this author:

New York's Met Museum Records Best Attendance since 2001 | Bettany Hughes Publications you Can't go Without | 3,200-year-old Chariot Linchpin 'Proves Ancient Egyptian City in Israel'

Sean is an English Literature graduate, who currently works as a writer and journalist in London. He enjoys ancient history, theatre and sport. He does not enjoy Big Brother.

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Comments

Dasha:

Very nice video! And Dr Martinez is so lovely and excited with her work...Although Dr Dobrev said there's only one chance per century to make a great discovery, I hope both he and Dr Martinez will find what they are searching for.

Tue, 17-11-2009 13:38

MalcolmJ:

What an incredible find that would be - after King Tut, Cleopatra must be the best known figure in ancient Egypt. But six months to solve a 2,000 years plus old mystery? That's nothing! Why isn't more time granted to Dr Martinez and her dig?

Evidently the SCA think her work has some merit - even if it's not Cleopatra's tomb she's discovered, it must be an important one considering the location.

Wed, 18-11-2009 09:48

Cirilo Mejia:

As a Dominican, I am deeply proud of my coterranean Katheleen Martinez. She is and will be an example of what people can achive when they are persistent on what they believe and follow up their dreams. I am astonished about what she has accomplished until now. My respect and my admiration for this extraordinary and humble woman. Congratulations!

Sat, 21-11-2009 16:52

George R. Stilwell, Jr.:

Would be a nice video if it didn't stop every couple of words. Probably I don't have a large enough buffer to keep it going, but I don't know how to change this.

George

Sun, 22-11-2009 19:21

Ann:

George, we embed the HD version. You can always click it - which opens YouTube - and watch the non-HD version there? =)

Ann

Mon, 23-11-2009 09:49

Prad:

Hey George - you can also pause the video just before it starts playing and let the buffer download (so the red bar grows from left to right) before you play it.

Mon, 23-11-2009 09:56

anthony michael:

YOU MAY WELL FIND ALEXANDER

Fri, 18-12-2009 17:46

Hans Meerman:

I am intrigued with this project. I remember that they had to pause it last season. Does anyone know about it's progress? Did they resume excavating?

Thu, 11-02-2010 14:23

W C Fields:

It appears to have been much ado about nothing.

Wed, 07-04-2010 21:01

Dr Naim Boutros:

i am very impressed with this work. I just would like a clarification as of the location of these finds. Is Taposiris the place on the road beween Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh or is it nearer Cairo as your picture show the Sphinx behind you?

Thu, 15-04-2010 19:48

hyker1:

The "proof" that Dr. Martinez has shown so far (and Dr. Hawass) as well, is not entirely convincing. First, this theory does not jive with writers of the ancient period, such as Plutarch. Nor do a handful of coins and a few Ptolemaic artifacts "prove" that Cleopatra's tomb is at Tapasiris Magna. Ms. Martinez needs to present more concrete reasons for her belief that her excavation site is the location. I wish her the best of luck, but I fear she has jumped to conclusions. I hope I'm wrong, because finding the tomb of Cleoptra VII would be a crowning achievement in Egyptology!!!

Sat, 08-05-2010 00:30

JoseD:

This is amazing. I went to the Cleopatra exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and was amazed by Dr. Martinez's theory and her search. I will following this closely and sharing it with my students. I have a student from Egypt and am fascinated by Egyptian history.

Mon, 07-06-2010 14:57

Maasha:

Hello Dr Martinez! :)))...

I'm really fascinated by what you are doing now... :)))... Seriously... It's AWESOME!!! Well, could you please tell me if you found out if the tomb belonged to Cleopatra?? I'm doing this for my project and I'm really interested to know... :)))... Hope you reply... :)))...

Maasha

Thu, 24-06-2010 10:09

keith thompson:

i am very interested in your work and look forward to more details of your dig

Sat, 10-07-2010 11:42

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