Archaeologists have discovered a significant collection of artifacts at the ruins of an ancient Egyptian temple in Taposiris Magna, located west of Alexandria along the Mediterranean coast. This excavation, conducted by an Egyptian-Dominican research mission, has revealed sculptures, ceramics, and coins that provide new insights into the late Ptolemaic era.
The Ptolemaic dynasty, founded in 305 B.C. by Macedonian Greeks after Alexander the Great's conquest, ruled Egypt until Rome annexed the kingdom in 30 B.C. The main temple at Taposiris Magna, meaning 'Great Tomb of Osiris,' is historically significant, believed to have been established during Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus's reign in the 3rd century B.C. It was dedicated to Osiris, a deity associated with the afterlife.
Notably, the temple may be linked to Queen Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, with some scholars suggesting it could be her burial site.
Among the recent finds is a small white marble statuette of a woman wearing a royal diadem and a limestone bust of a king wearing the Nemes, the striped headcloth of pharaohs. Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, leading the mission, believes the statuette represents Cleopatra, although this claim is debated among scholars.
The excavation also uncovered 337 coins, many depicting Cleopatra, along with ceremonial pottery, oil lamps, bronze statues, a limestone cosmetic container, a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor, and a scarab amulet. Scarabs, shaped like the beetle, were believed to have magical properties.
Additionally, remains of an ancient Greek temple from the 4th century B.C. were found, alongside a large necropolis with 20 catacombs and an underground tomb beneath the ancient lighthouse of Taposiris Magna. Preliminary underwater excavations in submerged sections of the city have uncovered man-made structures and human remains.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has emphasized the historical significance of these findings, stating they enhance understanding of the late Ptolemaic period's architectural and cultural practices. The mission will continue to explore the temple's secrets and its connection to Cleopatra VII's reign.