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A significant discovery in Egypt could finally reveal the true face of Cleopatra, shedding new light on one of the most iconic and mysterious figures in ancient history.
The recent discovery of a white marble statue during excavations at the temple of Great TapestriesOn Alexandria, has left archaeologists and experts divided. A small sculpture, which represents a woman wearing a royal crown, was identified by archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, leader of the team Egyptian-Dominican, as a possible portrait of the famous queen Cleopatra VII. However, the discovery generated intense debate.
Artifacts and discoveries at the temple of Tapuziris Magna
The excavation uncovered a number of important artifacts. These included 350 coins, many of them stamped with Cleopatra's image, as well as pottery, oil lamps, limestone jars used for preserving food and cosmetics, and several bronze statues.
An amulet engraved with the inscription “The justice of Ra has arisen” was also found, along with a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor, elements that reinforce the historical importance of the site.
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With these discoveries, archaeologists were able to date the temple to the Late Baltic Period, estimating its construction in the 1st century BC. The wealth of artifacts found, which date from the same period, strengthened the theory that the temple was directly associated with Cleopatra.
However, the white marble sculpture continues to generate controversy, with some experts questioning its relationship to the Egyptian queen.
Zahi Hawass, a former antiquities minister, expressed doubts about the statue's occurrence. In a statement sent to Live Science, he stated that the sculpture does not represent Cleopatra, but rather a Roman figure, as pharaohs were depicted in Egyptian, not Roman, styles of art.
For Hawass, the bust has artistic characteristics that are not typical of the queen's time.
Historical importance of the temple of Tapuziris Magna
Despite the disagreements, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlighted the importance of the excavation, mentioning that the first investigations in the submerged area of the Tapuziris Magna temple revealed human structures and large ceramic details.
The discovery reinforces the idea that the site has great historical and cultural significance, providing new insights into ancient Alexandria.
While questions about the identity of the marble statue remain open, the excavation remains one of the most promising in the search for traces of Cleopatra's history and Egypt's rich culture.
Over time, new analyses may help to clarify whether the figure found is really the queen who enchanted the world or whether it is part of a distinct artistic tradition.
