Dr. Martnez's interest in Cleopatra was consuming. But how is it possible that the most famous woman of the ancient world remains missing today? "While the tombs of many famous historical rulers are still standingthe mausoleum of Augustus, Antony and Cleopatra's mortal enemy, in Rome, is one exampletheir contents have often been looted and lost centuries ago," said Draycott. UPDATE:Kathleen Martinez discovers 16 mummiesat Taposiris Magna. Kathleen Martinez : Latest News, Kathleen Martinez Videos and Photos She also found that modern researchers had quite possibly missed important clues about where she was buried. Finding the lost tomb of Cleopatra, legendary queen of ancient Egypt, is a kind of holy grail for archeologists. Experts have said that such a discovery would rewrite history and be a once-in-a-century event. She returned to her country, made the decision to upend her life, and prepared a project with the support of the Universidad Catlica Santo Domingo to begin excavating. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Dr.Martnez grew up in an intellectual, European-Caribbean household; her parents owned the largest private library in the West Indies, and she triumphed in chess, swimming, judo, and other pursuits throughout her youth Wharton also refers to her as "an overachiever by nature." When she arrived at Taposiris Magna she understood, she explains, that it was the place she was looking for. "I imagined going down inside narrow tunnels to her hidden tomb to find two [sarcophagi]: Cleopatra's and Mark Antony's.". 2023 Smithsonian Magazine The moment has been immortalized in art and literature -- but, more than two millennia later, little is known about where their remains lie. Ms Martinez believes that her quest for the tomb may be coming to an end, despite facing much scepticism from the archaeological community. She noted: What I have been doing is to excavate in places where I have better chances. With unimaginable wealth and power, Cleopatra was the greatest woman of an era and one of the most iconic figures of the ancient world. Cleopatra was multilingual, precociously intelligent, an able stateswoman who wrote monographs on medicine and law. Martinez first began searching for Cleopatra's lost tomb in 2005. Maria Sakkari offers a good display to defeat Paula Badosa 6-4 6-4 and join Irina Begu in Spain capital's last 8, Elections 2023 Where will expatriates vote (polling stations and cities), Greek Australian man dies on Motorcycle accident in Melbourne, Elections 2023 - "New Democracy is with May Day while Tsipras is with April Fools," says Mitsotakis, CLEOPATRA: The Quest to Reconstruct Her Look (VIDEO), Despina Vandi poses in a gold maxi dress: "All we need is love". Her husband, the Roman general Mark Antony, committed suicide after losing a crucial military battle. During recent explorations at an ancient Egyptian temple near Alexandria, archaeologists found something startling and unique. The location of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra is an ancient mystery that has baffled archaeologists for decades. Every ruler of the day had their likeness minted into coins. Read on to find out more. Privacy Statement On her initial visit to Egypt, Martinez managed to secure an appointment to see the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, the celebrated Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass . She has made several previous discoveries in her search for . What happens to First Republic Bank's stock and deposits now? In her day, Cleopatra was considered to be the human incarnation of the goddess Isis, and her husband, Mark Antony, the god Orisis, Isis' husband. Built over 800 years ago from massive basalt rocks, this lost city is nestled in the dense jungle and mangroves. Tunnel Possibly Leading to Cleopatra's Tomb Found Your Privacy Rights (Koantao/ CC BY-SA 3.0 ). An Inspirational Courtesans Tale, Was Anne of Cleves Too Ugly for King Henry VIII? Im so happy to see Kathleen Martinezs accomplishments. [17], The most significant piece is the so-called "great stele", with a decree from Pharaoh Ptolemy V revealing the date of the temple's construction to be between 221 and 203 BCE, and demonstrating, according to Martnez, the importance of said religious construction dedicated to the goddess Isis.[18]. Taposiris Magna, a semi-destroyed temple located on the edge of Lake Mariout in Borg El Arab, about 50 kilometers west of Alexandria, was the site Martnez selected. The discovery of sixteen Greco-Roman catacombs with their corresponding mummies in the Taposiris Magna necropolis, which provide information about mummification practices at the time, was reported by the Egyptian-Dominican mission in January. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. She was highly educated and sophisticated, says Okasha El Daly, honorary senior research associate at University College London. She was a victim of propaganda by the Romans, aiming to distort her image," Martinez said. They stumbled upon a mysterious depression in the ground.. If the tomb is found, "the history of the famous Cleopatra would change forever. One archeologist said she may have achieved just that. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Tunnel discovered beneath Egyptian temple may lead to Cleopatra's tomb, archaeologist says, Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist at the University of Santo Domingo, has been searching for the lost tomb of, Martinez and her team uncovered a 1,305-meter (4,281-foot) tunnel, located 13 meters (43 feet) underground, the Egyptian Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities recently. Photo: KTVU Fox. Her mom, a healthcare executive, was always a role model. Martinez has devoted nearly two decades of her life to perhaps the greatest mystery of all: Cleopatra's tomb has never been found. From Pyramids to Temples: Discovering the 15 Most Ancient Buildings on Earth (Video), King Charles IIIs Coronation: A 900-Year-Old Ceremony in the Modern Day, 1,200-Year-Old Viking Ship Burial Found in Supposedly Empty Mound, Lost City Revealed: The Mysteries of Nan Madol Uncovered (Video), 5 Pagan Traditions That Will Leave You Spellbound (Video), Hidden in Plain Sight: The Pterodactyl of New Guinea, The Significance of the Sacred Seal of Solomon and its Symbols, 13th Century Magical Merlin Manuscript Shares Original Legend. It was a true passion, and like all passions it cost her dearly. The tunnel is an exact replica of Eupalinos Tunnel in Greece, which is considered as one of the most important engineering achievements of antiquity, Martinez tellsLive Sciences Owen Jarus. She heads the Egyptian-Dominican mission in Alexandria, and is currently minister counselor in charge of cultural affairs at the Dominican embassy in Egypt. "The amount of new information Egyptologists, classicists, ancient historians, and archaeologists could glean from its contents would be immense.". Returning home to the Dominican Republic, Martinez convinced officials at the University of Santo Domingo to sponsor further archaeological work at Taposiris Magna. If that happens, it would represent the perfect capstone to the career of a true pioneer in her field. They have also uncovered skeletons, mummies, the tomb of a Ptolemaic general, underground passages, and burial rooms. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. An intact tomb would enable a wealth of scientific research. She told CNN that the site has yielded some 1,500 artifacts so far, including a hoard of coins that feature the faces of Cleopatra, her ancestors of the Ptolemy dynasty, and the Ptolemies' original patron, Alexander the Great. I found two [previously hidden] chambers in the Temple of Taposiris Magna [where] the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony could be., North facade of the Osiris Temple ruin in Taposiris Magna, west of Alexandria, facing the sea. [2], Despite her childhood passion for Egypt, Martnez focused her early studies on a legal career. According to the National, Dr. Martnez's then-husband (with whom she had children) refused to move to Egypt. With unimaginable wealth and. Adventist Adventurer Claimed to Have Found Ark of the Covenant Beneath Crucifixion Site, Homo Naledi: A Mysterious Extinct Human Species (Video), The Incredible Odyssey of Mankind: Ape to Human in a Million Years (Video). The team also unearthed gold leaf amulets in the form of tongues placed for speaking with the god Osiris in the afterlife. It added in 2018: Kathleen had unearthed a hidden shaft leading deep underground. For the past 14 years, Dr. Kathleen Martnez has been the head of excavations at Taposiris Magna. "Every time we see a professional woman such as a doctor, a scientist or a philosopher we should think of her.". In that case, like most Hellenistic city Alexandria, it might be the most prominent archaeological finding in decades," the Economic Times concurred this week. She studied she explains the canonical texts in detail, in particular Plutarch's account of Mark Antony's alliance with Cleopatra. It is therefore unlikely that Cleopatra was buried there. Kathleen Martinez videos and latest news articles; GlobalNews.ca your source for the latest news on Kathleen Martinez . Cleopatra was queen at 18 years old, spoke nine languages, studied politics, economics and mathematics. [13], In 2016, this was supplemented by a GPR surveyor using more powerful radar to detect new chambers and follow the extent of the tunnels already discovered, potentially speeding up excavation work. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Though she ruled thousands of years in the past, Martinez says Cleopatra still matters today. Archaeologists Believe They May Have Finally Found the Lost - Yahoo And if Martinez finds her, the journey will have only just begun. Cleopatra reigned as queen of ancient Egypt from about 51 BC to 30 BC. Cleopatra’s tomb Kathleen Martinez update Although Kathleen Martinez, a former criminal defense attorney from the Dominican Republic, may not seem like the most likely candidate to become an archaeologist, she is eager to solve an On November 10, Egypt's Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities made a startling announcement via Facebook. ( Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ). Speaking to the National in Cairo, she said: If the world was crazy about King Tut, it will be way crazier about Cleopatras tomb is found. Trump motion to declare mistrial in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit denied, Tornado hits Virginia Beach, likely damaging hundreds of homes, Transgender Montana lawmaker Zooey Zephyr sues over censure, Debt ceiling standoff heats up over veterans' programs, Texas man who lost wife and son in shooting shares story, NYPD officer Troy Patterson dies 33 years after being shot in robbery, Supreme Court to hear case that could curb power of federal agencies, The weirdest items passengers leave behind in Ubers. Now she believes she's made a pivotal. This was at odds with another hypothesis, developed by French explorer Franck Goddio and the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology, seeking the tomb in a palace of Alexandria which had been buried underwater by an earthquake, whose excavations were resumed in 1992. Cleopatrawho ruledPtolemaic Egypt from 51 to 30 B.C.E.and her longtime lover, the Roman generalMark Antony, died by suicide in 30 B.C.E. Dr Kathleen Martinez has spent decades trying to locate it, and she is convinced it lies 30 miles outside the city of Alexandria, in the ancient temple site of Taposiris Magna. Read on to find out more. Along the side of Yanmen Shan mountain, located twenty kilometers to the east of Nanjing, China, the legendary Yangshan quarry can be found. The ancient civilization of Greece is a historical period that has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. Many archaeologists and Egyptologists are highly skeptical of Martinezs theory, including Dr. Hawass. "Because Cleopatra outsmarted everyone," Martinez says. in archaeology, in pursuit of her ancient heroine. Top image: The mummy with the golden tongue and other recent finds from the Taposiris Magna site. Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. But Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton does not pin much hope on the likelihood of finding Cleopatra at the site. Valley of Kings refers to a site in southern Egypt where the tombs of many pharaohs, including King Tut, are located. 85K Followers, 57 Following, 42 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Dr. Kathleen Martinez (@drkathleenmartinez) Egypt announces new archaeological discovery in Alexandria It was not the first time it had been excavated; the first expedition had been sent by Napoleon. And not just any lawyer Knowledge at Wharton called her "one of the Dominican Republic's most sought-after criminal attorneys." On the final day of the dig, in a last desperate throw of the dice, Kathleen spread her team over the whole site. Exploring these underwater structures will be the next stage of her search for the Egyptian queen's lost tomb -- a journey that began in 2005. Neolithic Stone Balls: The Northern Rosetta Stone? As the discovery of 16 new burial shafts during the most recent exploration season demonstrates, the temple at Taposiris Magna is a gift that keeps on giving. King Charles' coronation: The schedule, and how to watch the ceremony, Astronomers detect "Scary Barbie" black hole ripping apart huge star, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo found dead at 46, King Charles III's net worth and where his wealth comes from, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status. For the past 14 years, Dr. Kathleen Martnez has been the head of excavations at Taposiris Magna. "The ancient Egyptians speak to us through their tombs," she says. The mummy with the golden tongue was highly unusual, but it is only one of the fascinating relics that have been found in the 16 new burial shafts recently discovered by Kathleen Martinez and her Dominican-Egyptian team. It was a true passion, and like all passions it cost her dearly. The parallel was stunning. "Suppose the mausoleum is not lost under the Mediterranean Sea. She wasn't even Egyptian she was a descendent of Macedonians known as the Ptolemies. The excavations took place at a location called Taposiris Magna, a small, ancient community that was founded in 280 BC by Ptolemy II, one of the Ptolemaic descendants of Alexander the Great who ruled Egypt as a Hellenistic state for nearly 300 years following its fall to Alexander in the fourth century BC. But what could they be for? Kathleen Sorensen, an Instagram influencer, reported the false crime to police in 2020 and proceeded to blast fabricated details to her social media followers and local TV news viewers. Nathan Falde graduated from American Public University in 2010 with a Bachelors Degree in History, and has a long-standing fascination with ancient history, historical mysteries, mythology, astronomy and esoteric topics of all types. Part of the tunnel is submerged underwater, which could be the result of several earthquakes that struck the region between 320 and 1303 C.E. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Egyptian coastline has been battered by earthquakes over the centuries, causing parts of the Taposiris Magna to collapse and sink under the waves. Kathleen Martinez, a former criminal lawyer from the Dominican Republic, is perhaps not the likeliest archaeologist, but she is determined to uncover an ancient mystery that has stymied the archaeological world: the location of Cleopatra's tomb. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Later, she earned a master's degree in finance, and then a master's in archaeology. Dr Kathleen Martinez has spent years trying to find Cleopatra's tomb and she is convinced it lies 30 miles outside of the city in the ancient temple site of Taposiris Magna. The series went on to speculate over the chambers potential use and how it was vital to continuing the search for the lost queen. Mom Who Accused Latino Couple of Trying to Kidnap Kids Convicted - People We simply have no idea at this point. READ MORE:Egypt: Cave complex' beneath Great Pyramid exposed in hunt for 'lost underworld'. Searching for Cleopatra, a documentary from The Nature of Things, explores her political genius, scholarly accomplishments and history-making alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She added: "She was an educated woman, probably the first one who studied formally at the Museum in Alexandria, the center of culture in her time.". She was given just two months to prove she was on to something she mounted a site survey and started her dig. A Visual Tour (Video), Behind the Scenes of Ancient Greece: Exploring the Daily Life of its People (Video), Trove of Ancient Artifacts Discovered in Paestum Include Dolphin Statuette of Eros, TheiaGreek Goddess of Light, the Sun, the Moon, and Wisdom, Greeces East Attica In Antiquity: Playground Of Gods, Heroes And Heroines, A Face to the Legend: The Quest to Reconstruct Cleopatra's Look (Video), Aspasia - The Real-Life Helen of Troy? While the temple site is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis, she believes that may be the resting place for several Egyptian pharaohs. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Work began in 2004. The mission, headed by. "The excavation revealed a huge religious center with three sanctuaries, a sacred lake, more than 1,500 objects, busts, statues, golden pieces, a huge collection of coins portraying Alexander the Great, Queen Cleopatra and the Ptolemies," Martinez told CNN. The pagan traditions associated with it have survived through the centuries, with many still A large Viking burial mound found on the island of Karmy off Norways western coast was long thought to be empty. Excavations so far have unearthed more than 1,500 ancient objects. "She was a sage, a philosopher, who elevated the ranks of the scholars and enjoyed their company," El Daly says in the documentary. Martinez says the ancient ruler was misunderstood, and most of what we knew about her came from the Romans, who considered her a rival. In that case, like most Hellenistic city Alexandria, it might be the most prominent archaeological finding in decades," the, . She made sure that her human remains and Mark Antony's were hidden from the Romans and their descendants forever.". Her hopes are high that Cleopatra's tomb is just around the corner with all the puzzle pieces falling into place. They also discovered evidence proving that the temple foundation had been constructed under the authority of Ptolemy IV, who ruled Egypt from 221 BC to 204 BC. From Strabo's descriptions of ancient Egypt, Martnez sketched a map of potential burial sites and identified 21 localities associated with the legend of Isis and Osiris. From the Dominican Republic to Egypt: Kathleen Martnez, Archeologist Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist with the University of Santo Domingo, located the 6.5-foot-tall, 4,300-foot-long tunnel roughly 43 feet underground at the temple, which is situated west of the ancient city of Alexandria. Read More:Bible archaeology: Location Jesus walked on water challenged. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Her obsession with Cleopatra she has explained repeatedly in the press was born out of an argument with her father in 1990, and a group of friends who considered that her biography was not very significant. | READ MORE. Cleopatra may have buried her husband in the temple to fulfill the myth, Martinez told CNN. Ms Martinez believes that the discovery of Cleopatras tomb would be a much greater find due to the queens historical significance as the last active ruler of Egypt. The 4,281-foot-long channel, buried 43 feet underground, is the result of nearly two decades of searching. Archaeologists have discovered a massive ancient rock tunnel beneath an Egyptian temple, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced last week. Historians believe they are likely buried together, but they dont know where. No Cleopatra was not black here are the facts | Arab News A Visual Tour (Video), 10 Jaw-dropping Engineering Marvels of the Inca Empire, Outside the Battlefield, What Was Daily Life Like for Medieval Knights? The team also unearthed gold leaf amulets in the form of tongues placed for speaking with the god Osiris in the afterlife. "My perseverance cannot be confused with obsession. It remains to be seen if Martinez will ever find the burial place of Cleopatra. Kathleen Martinez discovers 16 mummiesat Taposiris Magna. "It will be the most important discovery of the century," she said. Sorensen . The whole idea that she could have been buried at Taposiris Magna is not really based on evidence.". The shaft descended five metres below the ground to two hidden chambers. She also emphasized that between 320 and 1303 AD, the Egyptian Mediterranean coast was shaken by at least 23 earthquakes, which caused a portion of the Temple of Taposiris Magna to sink and collapse. Thoths Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? Cleopatra died by suicide after a military defeat, following Antony's own suicide. The tunnel was carved into the rock and is two meters high and 13 meters underground, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Sometime around 1990, Dr.Martnez reread Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" and realized that the "rare Egyptian" was more than the sexy, hotheaded femme fatale of legend. It stretches over 4,300 feet and is carved in a rock 42 feet below the ground in the area of the Temple of Tapozeris Magna, which is located west of the city of Alexandria, the ministry said. Santa Rosa, Calif. An Instagram social influencer who reported an attempted kidnapping of her young children has been convicted of making a false report of a crime, CBS Bay Area reports. Kathleen Martnez net worth Apr, 2023 - People Ai Although Kathleen Martinez, a former criminal defense attorney from the Dominican Republic, may not seem like the most likely candidate to become an archaeologist, she is eager to solve an old puzzle that has baffled the archaeological community: the location of Cleopatra's tomb. For one thing, she was originally a lawyer. By 2002, Dr. Martnez's house was "covered with maps" (per Wharton). Part of the tunnel, or other tunnels that branch out from it, are under the sea. Despite having no field experience, she left a 20-year law career behind in order to undertake an Egyptian expedition . Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist with the University of Santo Domingo, located the 6.5-foot-tall, 4,300-foot-long tunnel roughly 43 feet underground at the temple, which is situated west of. Excavations have revealed that the temple was indeed dedicated to Isis, along with tunnels that lie under the sea. Now she believes she's made a pivotal breakthrough. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The True Story of the Koh-i-Noor Diamondand Why the British Won't Give It Back, Balto's DNA Provides a New Look at the Intrepid Sled Dog. But, shes a trailblazer and Im very proud of her for not taking no for an answer and plowing ahead. "My parents had convinced me that it was not worthwhile for me to be an archaeologist because I would never have a serious job and could not make a living from that profession. Other treasures discovered in the burial shafts alongside the mummies include eight marble masks, and eight golden flakes that were once part of a golden wreath. Greg Cannella is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News. Mummy With Golden Tongue Found At Possible Site Of Cleopatra's Tomb During more than 100 years of excavations, busts and coins with the face of Cleopatra have also been found. Studying ancient worlds ignited a lifelong passion for Martinez the mysterious and missing queen of Egypt. The discoveries made during that time have made her more and more certain that she is close to the long-losttomb of Cleopatra VII and her lover Mark Antony. Lively debate has even been devoted to whether she was attractive. A female mummy that was enclosed in a full body death mask. The team of Egyptian archaeologists and Bedouin helpers, led by Ms Martinez have discovered coins that bear the images of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. The 4,281-foot-long channel, buried 43 feet underground, is the result of nearly two decades of searching. Theyve also found figurines, statues of the goddessIsis, a mummy with a gold tongue and a cemetery full of Greco-Roman-style mummies. Dr. Martnez knew of a temple site on the sea near Alexandria, called Taposiris Magna; the temple had been robbed and eroded by the creeping sea level, but it could well be the place. She also set a precedent for powerful women, Martinez adds. In Search of Cleopatra: The Kathleen Martinez Story Originally trained as a lawyer (and still practicing part-time as such), Kathleen Martinez came to Egypt to begin her explorations in 2002, shortly after earning her master's degree in archaeology.