Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martínez suggests bust found in Egypt may depict Cleopatra

Santo Domingo.- The Egyptian-Dominican archaeological team, led by researcher Kathleen Martínez in collaboration with the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), has uncovered significant artifacts at the Taposiris Magna temple near Alexandria. Among the finds are foundation deposits beneath the temple’s southern wall, containing ceremonial objects that illuminate the late Ptolemaic period’s history.

Key discoveries include a marble bust of a Ptolemaic queen, which Martínez believes could depict Cleopatra VII, although some archaeologists suggest it may represent another royal figure. Additional artifacts include a limestone bust of a king with a pharaoh’s ceremonial headdress, 337 coins bearing Cleopatra VII’s image, ceremonial ceramics, bronze statuettes, and a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Underwater excavations also revealed human skeletons and pottery fragments, emphasizing the site’s historical importance.

Kathleen Martínez, a Dominican archaeologist and UNPHU graduate, has pursued the search for Cleopatra’s tomb at Taposiris Magna since 2005. Her work continues to yield groundbreaking insights, with photographic documentation provided to UNPHU showcasing key artifacts and underwater discoveries made alongside Dr. Robert Ballard.