Monday, 22 September, 2025
Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martínez, renowned for her relentless two-decade search for Cleopatra’s tomb, has uncovered a submerged ancient port near the Egyptian temple of Taposiris Magna. This significant find, detailed in National Geographic’s upcoming documentary Cleopatra’s Final Secret, could be the breakthrough that links the legendary queen’s final resting place to this coastal site.
Located approximately 30 miles west of Alexandria, Taposiris Magna has been central to Martínez’s excavation efforts since 2005. The recent discovery of a 4,300-foot tunnel beneath the temple, leading toward the sea, contained Ptolemaic-era pottery and ceramic jars, suggesting the port was active during Cleopatra’s time. The newly found underwater structures, including columns, anchors, and a polished floor, further support the theory that this port was a significant maritime hub during the Ptolemaic period.
Martínez posits that Cleopatra and Mark Antony, after their defeat by Octavian, may have chosen this location for their tomb to evade Roman control. The temple’s dedication to Osiris, the god of the afterlife, and the presence of gilded mummies and coins bearing Cleopatra’s image, bolster the argument that Taposiris Magna was a site of royal significance during her reign.
The discovery of the submerged port, along with the tunnel and associated artifacts, marks a pivotal point in Martínez’s search. Collaborating with oceanographer Bob Ballard, known for locating the Titanic, Martínez utilized sonar mapping to identify these underwater structures, which are believed to have been submerged due to seismic activity over the centuries.
While the exact location of Cleopatra’s tomb remains unconfirmed, these findings provide compelling evidence supporting the hypothesis that Taposiris Magna may house her final resting place. The upcoming National Geographic documentary, Cleopatra’s Final Secret, airing on September 25, will delve deeper into these discoveries and their implications for understanding one of history’s most enduring mysteries.
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Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martínez, renowned for her relentless two-decade search for Cleopatra’s tomb, has uncovered a submerged ancient port near the Egyptian temple of Taposiris Magna. This significant find, detailed in National Geographic’s upcoming documentary Cleopatra’s Final Secret, could be the breakthrough that links the legendary queen’s final resting place to this coastal site.
Located approximately 30 miles west of Alexandria, Taposiris Magna has been central to Martínez’s excavation efforts since 2005. The recent discovery of a 4,300-foot tunnel beneath the temple, leading toward the sea, contained Ptolemaic-era pottery and ceramic jars, suggesting the port was active during Cleopatra’s time. The newly found underwater structures, including columns, anchors, and a polished floor, further support the theory that this port was a significant maritime hub during the Ptolemaic period.
Martínez posits that Cleopatra and Mark Antony, after their defeat by Octavian, may have chosen this location for their tomb to evade Roman control. The temple’s dedication to Osiris, the god of the afterlife, and the presence of gilded mummies and coins bearing Cleopatra’s image, bolster the argument that Taposiris Magna was a site of royal significance during her reign.
The discovery of the submerged port, along with the tunnel and associated artifacts, marks a pivotal point in Martínez’s search. Collaborating with oceanographer Bob Ballard, known for locating the Titanic, Martínez utilized sonar mapping to identify these underwater structures, which are believed to have been submerged due to seismic activity over the centuries.
While the exact location of Cleopatra’s tomb remains unconfirmed, these findings provide compelling evidence supporting the hypothesis that Taposiris Magna may house her final resting place. The upcoming National Geographic documentary, Cleopatra’s Final Secret, airing on September 25, will delve deeper into these discoveries and their implications for understanding one of history’s most enduring mysteries.
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