Archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the "true face" of Cleopatra, following the discovery of a white marble statue at an ancient Egyptian temple.
The remarkable find was made by an Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission near Alexandria, at what experts believe could be the legendary queen's final resting place.
The statue, adorned with a royal crown, was discovered at the Taposiris Magna Temple and has sparked intense debate among experts about its identity.
Dr Kathleen Martinez, who has dedicated nearly two decades to searching for Cleopatra's tomb, claims the statue reveals the authentic appearance of the last queen of Egypt, who ruled from 51 to 30 BC.
A white marble statue at an ancient Egyptian temple may depict the face of Cleopatra
Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Archives
Among the significant discoveries at the site were 337 coins, many bearing Queen Cleopatra VII's image.
The team also unearthed a half-length statue of a king wearing the Nemes headdress, alongside ritual pottery and oil lamps.
The white marble statue itself portrays a woman with pouting lips and braided hair encircling her head.
Other notable finds included limestone containers, bronze statues and a scarab amulet inscribed with "The justice of Ra has arisen".
MORE ARCHAEOLOGY BREAKTHROUGHS:
She became queen at just 18 years old and was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty
Getty
A 2,000-year-old mummy with a gold tongue was previously discovered at the same location, highlighting the site's archaeological importance.
The discoveries were made beneath the southern wall of the temple's outer perimeter, as part of ongoing excavations by Dr Martinez's team in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña.
However, not all experts agree with Dr Martinez's assessment of the statue's identity.
Some archaeologists have pointed out that the facial features differ significantly from known depictions of the famous queen.
These experts suggest the marble statue could instead represent another princess from the Ptolemaic dynasty.
The mummy of Cleopatra was previously found at the same location
Wikimedia Commons
Cleopatra was renowned not only for her beauty but also for her intelligence, reportedly speaking up to 12 languages and being educated in mathematics, philosophy, oratory and astronomy.
She became queen at just 18 years old and was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
The Taposiris Magna Temple, where the discoveries were made, features a complex network of tunnels extending from Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean Sea.
Dr Martinez believes Cleopatra's tomb lies hidden within the temple ruins, which sit atop a 4,281-foot-long tunnel 43 feet underground.
The archaeologist theorises that Cleopatra's body was transported through this tunnel system before being buried in a secret location.
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass expressed optimism about finding the tomb, stating: "The long-lost tomb of Antony and Cleopatra will be eventually uncovered."
Hawass added: "I do believe that they are buried in the same tomb. We are so close to discover the accurate location of the tomb; we are on the right way."
