'Remarkable' Collection of Artifacts Unearthed in Ancient Egyptian Temple

Archaeologists have uncovered a "remarkable" collection of artifacts at the ruins of an ancient Egyptian temple.

An Egyptian-Dominican research mission made the finds in the ancient city of Taposiris Magna, located west of present-day Alexandria by the Mediterranean coast, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced.

The finds—which include sculptures, ceramics and coins—provide new insights into the history of the late Ptolemaic era, according to the ministry.

The Ptolemaic dynasty was a royal family of Macedonian Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great's conquest of the territory. Founded in 305 B.C., the dynasty persisted until Rome defeated and annexed the kingdom in 30 B.C.

The main temple at Taposiris Magna (meaning "Great Tomb of Osiris") holds significant historical and archaeological value. Thought to have been founded during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3rd century B.C., the temple was dedicated to Osiris—a deity in the ancient Egyptian pantheon associated with the afterlife, death and rebirth.

Artifacts found at the Taposiris Magna Temple site in Egypt. The temple was dedicated to Osiris, a major deity in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, associated with the afterlife, death and rebirth. Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The temple is also notable thanks to its potential connection to the iconic ruler Queen Cleopatra VII. Scholars have hypothesized that the site might be the possible location of her tomb.

Cleopatra is renowned for her role as the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, not to mention her political acumen, love affairs with Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and tragic death by suicide. Her life and reign have since been immortalized in various works of art, literature and historical accounts over the centuries.

Among the key recent finds from excavations at the Taposiris Magna Temple are a small, white marble statuette of a woman wearing the royal diadem—a type of crown or headband—and a limestone bust of a king adorned with the Nemes, the characteristic striped head cloth worn by ancient Egyptian pharaohs.

Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, who led the mission, believes that the marble statuette depicts Queen Cleopatra VII. But Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said other scholars have disputed this claim, noting that the facial features differ from other known depictions of the ruler.

It is possible that the statue represents another royal woman.

Besides these sculptures, the archaeological mission made a number of other discoveries at the site, including 337 coins—many bearing the image of Cleopatra VII—ceremonial pottery vessels, oil lamps, bronze statues, a limestone container for cosmetics, a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor and a scarab amulet.

Scarab artifacts, shaped like the beetle of the same name, were popular throughout ancient Egypt. These objects, often fashioned from stone, were thought to be imbued with magical properties and worn as amulets, although they were also sometimes used as impression seals.

The mission also uncovered the remains of an ancient Greek temple in the area dating to the 4th century B.C.—which appears to have been destroyed between the 2nd century B.C. and the early Roman period—as well as a large necropolis with 20 catacombs and an underground tomb beneath the ancient lighthouse of Taposiris Magna.

Preliminary underwater excavations conducted in sections of the ancient city that are now submerged have revealed man-made structures, human remains and "vast" quantities of pottery.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the findings from Taposiris Magna highlight the site's historical significance.

"The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lauds these discoveries as pivotal in expanding our understanding of the late Ptolemaic period and its architectural, cultural, and ceremonial practices," the ministry said.

"The mission will continue its work, aiming to uncover more of the secrets of [the Taposiris Magna] temple and its connection to the reign of Queen Cleopatra VII."

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