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6 days ago
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She's remembered as one of the most powerful and seductive queens in history.
Now, explorers say they're closer than ever to finding Cleopatra's lost tomb – and it could be underwater.
They've found a sunken port in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, about two miles off the coast of Alexandria, the historic ancient city.
And the submerged port, at a depth of about 40 feet, could lead to the remains of the lost lovers.
Cleopatra, who ruled Egypt from 51 BC to 30 BC, used her beauty and sexual allure to get what she wanted.
She famously had a long line of lovers, including Roman dictator Julius Caesar and one of his successors, Mark Antony.
Cleopatra and Antony both died by suicide and were buried together.
But ever since their death more than 2,000 years ago, their final resting place has been unaccounted for.
The port (pictured in this 3D rendering) was once along Egypt's coastline, but because of coastal erosion it is now out to sea
The submerged port, at a depth of about 40 feet, could lead to the remains of lost lovers Cleopatra and Mark Antony
Cleopatra VII, known both as a seductress with a captivating personality, used her charms to seduce Julius Caesar to cement Egypt's alliance with Rome
The offshore port, flooded with water, was once connected to Taposiris Magna, a historic city containing an ancient temple dedicated to Osiris, god of death.
Taposiris Magna, whose name means 'great tomb of Osiris', is located about 30 miles from Alexandria, which was once the country's capital.
Kathleen Martínez, an explorer and long-time hunter of Cleopatra's grave, discovered the port in a fresh round of dives with Bob Ballard, discoverer of the Titanic.
And the port, which was connected to the temple, may provide a 'crucial clue' about the tomb's whereabouts, or even lead to the location of the tomb itself.
The newly-found structure consists of columns, polished stone floors and scattered amphora, the tall jugs historically used for carrying wine – showing there was activity there.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which announced the news on Facebook, calls this potential evidence of 'ancient marine activity'.
Now, it's just 'a matter of time' before the tomb is finally found, said Martínez, who has been searching Taposiris Magna since October 2005.
'After 2,000 years nobody has ever been there,' Martínez told National Geographic. 'We are the first ones.'
Seafloor map of the waters off the coast of Taposiris Magna, a historic city containing an ancient temple
The port consists of columns, polished stone floors and scattered amphora, the tall jugs historically used for carrying wine
The scattering of ancient archaeological evidence helps confirm the existence of the port, now a couple of miles offshore
Taposiris Magna temple, whose name means 'great tomb of Osiris', is located near the ancient Egyptian capital of Alexandria. Pictured, an internal view towards south of the temple
What is Taposiris Magna?
Taposiris Magna is a city in Egypt established by Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus between 280 and 270 BC. The name meaning 'great tomb of Osiris' likely comes from the great temple there.
Its position on the arm of the now dried up bed of Lake Mareotis suggests it may have played a role in trade between Egypt and Libya.
Traders from the west would be able to go by water to the harbor, then take a caravan route onwards.
The temple at Taposiris Magna is widely considered by experts to be the final resting plane of pharaoh Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony.
Back in 2022, Martínez and her team discovered a 4,300-foot tunnel carved through layers of rock under the ruins of Taposiris Magna.
Inside they found ceramic jars and pottery from the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty, of which Cleopatra was the last ruler.
Martínez believes Cleopatra was transported to Taposiris Magna after her death, carried through the underground tunnel to the direction of the port, and laid to rest there.
The tunnel points 'directly' at the port, suggesting the original function of the two are related, perhaps part of a secret network.
However, the expert can't rule out that the tomb is somewhere among the ruins of the temple, which has largely been the assumption.
'Nobody can tell me that Cleopatra is not at Taposiris Magna,' Martínez said. 'To say that you have to excavate the whole area and not find her.'
Cleopatra was Egypt's last pharaoh and the ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, from 51 BC until her death 30 BC, at the age of just 39, after her defeat in the Roman civil wars.
She famously used her charms to first seduce Julius Caesar to cement Egypt's alliance with Rome, and then to seduce one of his successors, Mark Antony.
The tunnel, found in 2022, sits about 43 feet underneath Egypt's ancient Taposiris Magna Temple, or 'Great tomb of Osiris', located outside ancient Egypt's capital Alexandria
Experts can't rule out that the tomb is somewhere among the ruins of the temple, which has largely been the assumption. Pictured, the tunnel carved in rock
In order to fix herself and Antony as rulers in the minds of the Egyptian people, she also worked hard to associate them with the myth of Isis and Osiris.
According to the myth, Osiris was killed and hacked into pieces that were scattered across Egypt. After finding all of the pieces and making her husband whole again, Isis was able to resurrect him for a time.
Martínez thinks that the queen actually devised a plan so that the body of her and her lover would end up in a place the Romans would not even think to look.
She had to choose a location where she could feel safe for her afterlife with Mark Antony, Martínez told National Geographic.
More than 2,000 years later, whatever Cleopatra's plan was still seems to be working.
A new documentary covering the dive, 'Cleopatra’s Final Secret', will premiere on National Geographic on Thursday, September 25, and stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
ANTHONY, CLEOPATRA AND THE PTOLEMAIC DYNASTY
Cleopatra, often known as the world's first celebrity, was the last of a long line to Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt – descended from Greek general Alexander the Great.
By the time of her birth, his empire had been reduced to a shadow of its former self, while the ruling class was prone to bitter in-fighting.
Married to her brother Ptolemy XIII in her father's will, she united with Julius Caesar against him - famously having herself smuggled to see the Roman general inside a carpet so she could strike terms with him.
After his murder in 44BC Egypt, Mark Anthony was appointed to oversee the eastern reaches of the Republic - including the independent kingdom of Egypt.
Though married to Octavian's sister, Anthony formed a relationship with Cleopatra and had three children with her.
Eventually Anthony and Octavian turned against one-another and fought for control of the Republic, which ended with defeat at the Battle of Actium.
Octavian chased Anthony and Cleopatra back to Alexandria, where they were eventually captured.
Anthony died in Cleopatra's arms after fatally stabbing himself, before she also committed suicide - reportedly by letting an asp bite her.
Octavian returned to Italy where he became the first Emperor of Rome, while Cleopatra and Anthony were buried in Egypt.
