Meggie Macdonald

At the mid-way point in the Egyptian dig season, evidence has come to light from an archaeological site in Alexandria – one of three originally identified by Zahi Hawass at the end of the 2008-2009 season – that suggests the discovery of the tomb of Cleopatra.  This last pharaoh of Egypt, infamous lover of both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, died by her own hand after the disasterous naval defeat near Actium in 31 BCE.

The site is 8 metres under water and boasts a huge set of granite doors, remarkably still sealed.  The Greek archaeological team who has been conducting work off the coast of Alexandria in past years feel that this could be the entrance to the Pharaoh’s tomb and could, due to the intact seal, possibly contain the remains of Cleopatra herself.  Is the mighty Queen of Egypt still lying at rest behind the huge gateway?  Is Antony there with her?  Will we finally see the face of, perhaps, the most famous woman in human history?

Forensic anthropologists have long considered the discovery of Cleopatra’s body to be the highest honour of facial reconstructive specialists.  If her remains can be scanned, a 3-D image of her skull could be digitized and we might finally know whether the greatest seductress of the Ancient World is as beautiful now as she was then.