After two decades of searching, archaeologists may be closer than ever to solving one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world: the final resting place of Cleopatra.
Cleopatra VII, the legendary last pharaoh of Egypt, has captivated historians and pop culture fans alike for centuries. Best remembered for her romantic and political alliances—especially with Roman general Mark Antony—Cleopatra’s tomb has long been lost to history. Until now.
In a stunning announcement, archaeologist Kathleen Martínez of the Dominican Republic believes she may have uncovered a major piece of the puzzle. Working with her team and supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Martínez has discovered a submerged port about two miles off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt—connected to the ancient temple complex of Taposiris Magna.
“This temple had all the conditions to be chosen for Cleopatra to be buried with Mark Antony,” Martínez told National Geographic.
The temple site, located roughly 30 miles west of Alexandria in Borg El Arab, has revealed an impressive trove of ancient artifacts and architecture—some dating back to Cleopatra’s reign in the first century B.C. The newly discovered port, once linked directly to the temple, suggests Taposiris Magna wasn’t just a religious hub, but a bustling maritime center.
To explore this unprecedented underwater find, Martínez enlisted the help of famed marine archaeologist Bob Ballard—the same man who discovered the wreck of the Titanic.
Their groundbreaking exploration was filmed for a new National Geographic special, Cleopatra’s Final Secret, which premieres September 25 at 10/9c, and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
In the special, viewers will see divers discovering a polished floor, sunken pottery, and man-made structures never before explored. “This is one of those moments when you feel so alive,” Martínez said, describing the moment the team realized the scope of their find.
Later, she excitedly called Ballard: “The divers are down – they’ve discovered a port! After 2,000 years, nobody has ever been there. We are the first ones.”
Martínez believes Cleopatra’s body may have been carried from the temple through an underground tunnel to this very port, where she was laid to rest beside Mark Antony. Still, she acknowledges the tomb may yet lie among the temple ruins themselves—a theory long supported by local lore and past excavators.
“Nobody can tell me that Cleopatra is not at Taposiris Magna,” Martínez said defiantly. “To say that, you’d have to excavate the entire area and not find her.”
Cleopatra has been immortalized in countless works of art, literature, and film—most famously portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 Hollywood epic Cleopatra. Her image endures as one of power, mystery, and allure, making the hunt for her tomb one of the most captivating archaeological quests of modern times.
With this latest discovery, Martínez and her team may be closer than ever to rewriting history—and finally answering the question that has puzzled scholars for centuries.
The search continues… but Cleopatra’s final secret might not stay hidden for much longer.
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Even IF this was her final resting place, looters or even Rome has destroyed her remains. If not that, the sea water would have taken care of her remains as well as Marc Antony’s by now.
I am so pleased and thrilled for Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez and her team of dedicated researchers and explorers. She has worked many years on this project of finding Cleopatra’s tomb and has chronicled most of those explorations and digs. I’m very excited that her hard work and tenacity finally paid off and I will be looking forward to watching this next chapter unfold on film. Congratulations to all involved in this fantastic discovery!!