Egyptian dig may reveal tombs of Anthony and Cleopatra
April 16th, 2009 - 12:11 pm ICT by ANI
London, April 16 (ANI): Archaeologists are all set to search three sites in Egypt that they say may contain the tomb of doomed lovers Anthony and Cleopatra.
According to a report by BBC News, excavation at the sites, which are near a temple west of the coastal city of Alexandria, is due to begin next week.
Teams working in the area said the recent discovery of tombs containing 10 mummies suggested that Anthony and Cleopatra might be buried close by.
The teams also found a bust of Cleopatra and coins carrying her image.
The archaeologists from Egypt and the Dominican Republic have been excavating at the temple of Taposiris Magna, which was built during the reign of King Ptolemy II (282-246BC), for the last three years.
There they discovered a series of deep shafts in which it is thought that Anthony and Cleopatra might be buried, Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities said in a statement.
Alongside the coins and bust of Cleopatra, a mask believed to belong to Mark Anthony was also found.
Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide in 30BC after losing the Battle of Actium.
The coins found at the temple refuted “what some scholars have said about Cleopatra being very ugly,” according to Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s chief archaeologist.
“The finds from Taposiris reflect a charm, and indicate that Cleopatra was in no way unattractive,” he said.
A team of experts from Newcastle University said two years ago that another set of coins showed the beauty of Anthony and Cleopatra portrayed in popular culture to have been exaggerated. (ANI)
- Headless Egypt king statue could give clues to Cleopatra's tomb - Nov 19, 2010
- Headless granite statue of ancient Egypt king discovered - May 05, 2010
- Headless Egypt king statue could give clues to Cleopatra's tomb - May 20, 2010
- Cleopatra and Antony's tombs found, claims Egypt's top archaeologist - Apr 20, 2009
- Archaeologist claims discovery of Cleopatra's tomb - May 25, 2008
- Colourful ancient tombs unearthed in Egypt - Jul 08, 2010
- Statue of King Tut's grandfather unearthed - Nov 07, 2010
- Tomb of King Tut's wife may emerge in 2011 - Jan 04, 2011
- Artifacts found in Egypt date back to Queen Cleopatras era - Jun 07, 2008
- Attempt to steal pharaoh's statue foiled in Egypt - Feb 25, 2011
- Ancient city in the Egyptian eastern borders unearthed - Apr 26, 2010
- Archaeologists discover huge 2,500-year-old tomb near Cairo - Jan 05, 2010
- Archaeologists fail to find secret burial site at Seti I tunnel's end - Jul 01, 2010
- Statue fragments of King Tut's grandparents unearthed - Jan 11, 2011
- Archaeologists find 4,300 year old tombs in Egypt - Jul 09, 2010
Tags: anthony and cleopatra, archaeologists, bbc, bust, chief archaeologist, city of alexandria, coastal city, committed suicide, excavation, king ptolemy, losing the battle, mark anthony, mummies, newcastle university, popular culture, supreme council of antiquities, taposiris magna, team of experts, tombs, zahi hawass