Archaeologist: Cleopatra, Mark Antony Tomb Is Close

Artifacts unearthed in Egypt hint at lovers

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 19, 2009 3:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – An eccentric Egyptian archaeologist believes he knows where Mark Antony and Cleopatra were buried, the AP reports. An excavation team has uncovered a mask fragment with an Antony-style cleft chin, coins bearing Cleopatra’s likeness, and 10 mummies from the same time period in the Toposiris Magna temple, hinting that the doomed lovers may be buried there.

"In my opinion, if this tomb is found, it will be one of the most important discoveries of the 21st century because of the love between Cleopatra and Mark Antony,” Zahi Hawass said. Radar studies indicate there are three possible burial chambers under the temple, which lies 30 miles from the ancient Egyptian capital of Alexandra. Antony and Cleopatra killed themselves in a suicide pact when their bid to seize the Roman Empire from Caesar Augustus failed.

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The temple of Taposiris Magna, which was built during the reign of King Ptolemy II (282-246 B.C.), may contain the tombs of doomed lovers Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Zahi Hawass, left, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Dominican Republic archeologist Katleen Martinez display statues found at Taposiris Magna. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

An Egyptian displays the alabaster head of a Queen Cleopatra statue. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Zahi Hawass, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, displays a part of a mask believed to belong to Mark Anthony. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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The discovery of the cemetery this week really convinced me that there is someone important buried inside this temple. No one would be buried outside a temple without a reason.
- archaeologist Zahi Hawass

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Archaeologist: Cleopatra, Mark Antony Tomb Is Close