Archaeologists were able to uncover a vast and incredible tunnel beneath a temple in the Taposiris Magna ancient ruined city on the coast of Egypt. Experts have been referring to the discovery as a geometric miracle.
Tunnel Under Temple Found
This discovery was made during temple explorations and excavations. The team of Kathleen Martinex from the University of Santo Domingo at the Dominican Republic found the structure 13 meters below the surface. The tunnel, which is two meters in height, was hewn through 1,305 meters of sandstone.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the design of the tunnel remarkably resembles the Tunnel of Eupalinos, which is a 1,036-meter aqueduct from the 6th century BCE. It is typically referred to as an engineering marvel, having unprecedented construction and design back in its day.
The engineering of the Taposiris Magna is also quite impressive. Some of its parts are submerged in the water.
However, with its resemblance to the Eupalinos aqueduct set aside, the purpose of the Taposiris Magna tunnel remains unknown.
Searching For Cleopatra's Lost Tomb
Martinez began working in the ancient ruined city in 2004, embarking on a search for Cleopatra VII's lost tomb. Martinez thinks that this tunnel could be a crucial lead. In the past, excavations uncovered clues that appear to point towards the esteemed queen and the Ptolemies' last.
The ancient ruined city of Taposiris Magna was founded by Ptolemy II in BCE 280. Ptolemy II was the son of the renowned general of Alexander the Great and one of the forebears of Cleopatra. The team believes that the temple was dedicated to the deity Osiris and the goddess Isis.
Coins that bear the likeness and names of both Alexander the Great and Cleopatra have been spotted there. Figurines depicting Isis were also found.
Burial shafts with Greco-Roman burials were also discovered in the temple. It is possible that both Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, her husband, were interred in tombs that are similar.
Further efforts could shed light on whether this tunnel could ultimately lead to the tombs that have remained long-lost.
Moving forward, the next stage would be the exploration of the Mediterranean Sea nearby. Within the period of 320 and 1303 CE, various earthquakes impacted the coast, leading a portion of the temple to collapse and get consumed by waves.
Regardless of whether the discovery leads to the uncovering of the tombs or not, in-depth excavations of the ruins could shed light on the ancient city. In fact, the tunnel has already uncovered various treasures, such as a block of limestone as well as pottery pieces.
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