Hidden tunnels possibly lead to Cleopatra’s tomb

Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Nina Krupar

   Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez locates hidden tunnels within Egypt possibly linked to Cleopatra’s tomb while on her 20-year pursuit. 

   According to CNN, Martinez and her team discovered 4,281 feet of tunnels that were previously buried. 

   “The excavation revealed a huge religious center with three sanctuaries, a sacred lake, more than 1,500 objects, busts, statues, golden pieces, a huge collection of coins that portray Alexander the Great, Queen Cleopatra, and the Ptolemies,” Martinez said. 

   As reported by Smithsonian Magazine, The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities shared a statement that calls the tunnels a “geometric miracle.” Some of the tunnel systems are submerged by water which has delayed the progress of further exploration. Smithsonian Magazine states that the tunnels are replicas of the Eupalinos Tunnel in Greece. These tunnels were some of the most important engineering achievements due to them being an aqueduct system for the culture. 

   Martinez has an admiration for Cleopatra that can often be mistaken for obsession as her journey to find the tomb has lasted such a long duration. 

   “She was an educated woman, probably the first one who studied formally at the Museum in Alexandria, the center of culture in her time,” Martinez said, according to CNN.

   According to a report in the New York Post, Cleopatra was most well known for her ill-fated romance with Roman Patrician and General Mark Antony. Cleopatra often is also well known for her dominant rule of Egypt. As sourced by CNN and the New York Post, her death was known to be a suicide that was followed not long after the death of  Mark Antony her beloved partner. 

   “It would be exciting, but also rather surprising, if the famous queen Cleopatra were buried at Taposiris Magna,” Roland Enmarch said according to the New York Post. 

   Enmarch also says that Cleopatra’s family had already built their tombs in Alexandria and she was likely hidden there when she took her own life. 

   As reported by CNN, Martinez is now “at the beginning of a new journey” in regard to the underwater evacuations. Although it may be too early to tell, Martinez along with her team stays hopeful. 

  “It will be the most important discovery of the century,” Martinez said according to CNN.