Marble statue found in Egypt sparks debate over depiction of Cleopatra VII

A marble statue excavated in the ancient Egyptian city of Taposiris Magna is what archaeologist Kathleen Martínez believes depicts the famous Ptolemaic queen, Cleopatra VII, associated with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Discoveries under the wall of the temple are the figure of a woman wearing a crown, a royal cap. Reports from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlight that Martínez, who leads the Egyptian-Dominican excavation team, attributes the statue to Cleopatra VII, a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled from 69 to 30 BC. Was the last ruler of.

Other archaeologists have expressed doubts about the identity of the statue. In statements to Live Science, former Egyptian Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass suggested that the artifact likely represents a Roman-era figure rather than Cleopatra. He pointed out that during the reign of Cleopatra, Egyptian art styles dominated, while the Roman style evident in the statue would align with the later period after the death of Cleopatra in 30 BC.

Artifacts and additional finds in Taposiris Magna

Many artefacts were found next to the statue, including 337 coins, some inscribed to Cleopatra VII, oil lamps and a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Excavations at the site have also revealed a necropolis with 20 tombs, fragments of other sculptures, and a previously unknown temple, believed to date back to the Ptolemaic period.

Kathleen Martínez, who has led research on Taposiris Magna for more than a decade, previously said that Cleopatra’s tomb could be located at that site, although this theory lacks consensus among experts. Underwater exploration near the site has also yielded pottery, structures and human remains, although further study is needed to establish their historical context.