A statue and 337 coins bearing the image of the legendary queen Cleopatra VII have been discovered at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, west of Alexandria, Egypt, shedding new light on the Ptolemaic era.
The finds were made by an archaeological team led by Dr. Kathleen Martínez, in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU).
The items, buried beneath the southern wall of the temple’s enclosure during its construction, were found alongside other ceremonial artifacts. These discoveries offer valuable new insights into the history of the later years of the Ptolemaic era in ancient Egypt.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, highlighted the significance of the discoveries, particularly a small white marble statue depicting a woman wearing a royal headband.
Dr. Martínez believes this statue may represent Cleopatra VII. However, some archaeologists disagree. They note that the statue’s face looks different and may show another royal woman.
The team also found a limestone bust of a king. The bust features the king wearing the Nemes, a special headdress worn by pharaohs in ceremonies.
4th century BC Greek temple and Coins with the image of Cleopatra VII
Besides the marble statue and the coins depicting Cleopatra VII, the archaeological team also uncovered ceremonial pottery, oil lamps, bronze figurines, and a limestone container used for makeup.
They also unearthed a scarab amulet with the inscription “The justice of Ra has arisen.” A bronze ring honoring the goddess Hathor was among the discoveries as well.
Pieces of broken pottery found at the site confirmed that the temple was built in the 1st century BCE.
The team also found remains of a Greek temple from the 4th century BCE. This temple was destroyed sometime between the 2nd century BCE and the early Roman period. The site includes an advanced system of deep tunnels connecting Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean Sea.
A large necropolis with 20 catacombs
Near the site, archaeologists uncovered a vast burial ground featuring 20 catacombs. Beneath the ancient lighthouse of Taposiris Magna, they found an underground tomb with three chambers. One of these chambers contained nine white marble busts along with various artifacts.
In the submerged sections of the site, initial exploration revealed man-made structures. Researchers also discovered human remains and large amounts of pottery scattered throughout these underwater areas.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has emphasized the importance of these findings. According to officials, the discoveries provide valuable insights into the architecture, culture, and rituals of the period.
Exploration efforts at the Temple of Taposiris Magna are ongoing. Researchers aim to reveal more hidden details and investigate the site’s potential connection to Cleopatra VII’s reign.