Katie Sorensen. With unimaginable wealth and power, Cleopatra was the greatest woman of an era and one of the most iconic figures of the ancient world. She was a victim of propaganda by the Romans, aiming to distort her image," said Martinez. While academics dont dismiss the possibility that she and Mark Antony might be interred in the temple at Taposiris Magna, there is no actual evidence that suggests she is. I admire Cleopatra as a historical character. It was a true passion, and like all passions it cost her dearly. Although it is "too early to know where these tunnels lead," she is hopeful. 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. Martinez's success in obtaining these antiquities on display in Egypt and the US. Dr. Martnez's interest in Cleopatra was consuming. "She was a sage, a philosopher, who elevated the ranks of the scholars and enjoyed their company," El Daly says in the documentary. "Cleopatra made great contributions to human knowledge and opened us to the world we have now," she says. Martinez believes Cleopatra may have chosen to bury her husband in the temple to reflect this myth. Martinez imagines her first words if she actually found the lost ruler. Her husband, the Roman general Mark Antony, committed suicide after losing a crucial military battle. This is where Martinez and her team are looking next. RELATED: The 10 Most "OMG" Science Discoveries of 2022, Martinez told CNN that she admires Cleopatra as a student, linguist, mother, and philosopher, and she considers the Egyptian queen to be somewhat misunderstood. A network of tunnels stretching from King Marriott Lake to the Mediterranean were also discovered, as well as 16 burial sites inside rock-carved tombs commonly used in the Greek and Roman centuries, the ministry disclosed. The last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt is one the most famous of all pharaohs but her tomb has never been found in the 2,000 years since she died. For one thing, she was originally a lawyer. During previous excavations at the site, archaeologists found a variety of other artifacts, including coins featuring the names and images of Cleopatra VII andAlexander the Great. The mummy with the golden tongue was just one of many marvels recently found at Taposiris Magna. 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. The search for the lost tomb has taken Martinez under the Mediterranean Sea. Greg Cannella is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News. It is impossible to date these relics to a particular year. This isnt to suggest that the mummy suddenly came to life and began impressing them with its powers of oratory persuasion. On November 10, Egypt's Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities made a startling announcement via Facebook. This is the story of one remarkable woman searching for another, separated by thousands of years. The location of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra is an ancient. [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]. Kathleen "Katie" Sorensen, a 31-year-old mother of two, faces up to six months behind bars after she was convicted of a misdemeanor for falsely reporting to police that the couple tried to . They said a number of beheaded statues, and statues of the goddess Isis, were also found. The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, Medieval Hygiene Might Have Been Better Than You Think, Wootz Damascus Steel: The Mysterious Metal that Was Used in Deadly Blades, The Macuahuitl: An Aztec Warriors Lethal and Sacred Weapon (Video), What Did Ancient Egypt Really Look Like? Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. "If the mausoleum of Cleopatra has not already vanished beneath the waves of the Mediterranean along with most of the Hellenistic city of Alexandria, and is one day found, it would be an almost unprecedented archaeological discovery," said Jane Draycott, a lecturer in classics at the University of Glasgow, on The Conversation this week. 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. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities shared the find in a statement last week and described the tunnel as a geometric miracle.. It is therefore unlikely that Cleopatra was buried there. Martinez told CNN that she admires Cleopatra as a student, linguist, mother, and philosopher, and she considers the Egyptian queen to be somewhat misunderstood. "Every year revealed a piece of the puzzle that I am putting together.". ( Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ). Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Martinez, a criminal lawyer turned archaeologist, has believed for many years that the ancient queen was buried at the Taposiris Magna Temple. DON'T MISS:Housing bubble warning: Bank of England to loosen lending rules[INSIGHT]Boris sets date to review Christmas Covid plans as lockdown fears grow[REVEAL]Crocodile attack: Teen attacked fully accepted' losing leg[VIDEO]. If they indeed find Cleopatra, "it will be the most important discovery of the century," she told CNN. Read More:Bible archaeology: Location Jesus walked on water challenged. An intact tomb would enable a wealth of scientific research. When Martinez first arrived in Egypt, she came of her own initiative and not with the support of any institution. See the five biggest finds in the hunt for Egypt's Cleopatra here. In 2021, Egyptian-Dominican researchers led by Kathleen Martinez have announced the discovery of 2,000-year-old ancient tombs with golden tongues dating to the Greek and Roman periods at Taposiris Magna. While the temple site is dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis, she believes that may be the resting place for several Egyptian pharaohs. 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. A Visual Tour (Video), 10 Jaw-dropping Engineering Marvels of the Inca Empire, Outside the Battlefield, What Was Daily Life Like for Medieval Knights? Martinez, who founded her own immigration law firm in 2020, says her journey began in her home state of Oregon. Kathleen Martinez discovers 16 mummiesat Taposiris Magna. It was a true passion, and like all passions it cost her dearly. He is a full-time freelance writer from Read More. She studied she explains the canonical texts in detail, in particular Plutarch's account of Mark Antony's alliance with Cleopatra. "I imagined going down inside narrow tunnels to her hidden tomb to find two [sarcophagi]: Cleopatra's and Mark Antony's.". The Egyptian authorities considered it an unimportant, unfinished temple. 85K Followers, 57 Following, 42 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Dr. Kathleen Martinez (@drkathleenmartinez) The first clue: The name. Cleopatra took her own life after the Romans captured Egypt in 30 BC. A group led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez, who heads the Egyptian-Dominican mission of the University of Santo Domingo, uncovered the tunnel. Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. They have also uncovered skeletons, mummies, the tomb of a Ptolemaic general, underground passages, and burial rooms. She heads the Egyptian-Dominican mission in Alexandria, and is currently minister counselor in charge of cultural affairs at the Dominican embassy in Egypt. 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. 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. Your Privacy Rights The tunnel's architectural design appears to resemble that of Greece's Jubilinos Tunnel, but longer, the ministry said. Who Is Kathleen Martnez, The Woman Who's Led The Search For Cleopatra For Almost 20 Years. Now she believes she's made a pivotal. Dr. Kathleen Martinez explained that among the most important of these mummies are two mummies that preserved the remains of scrolls and parts of the cartonnage, the first with remains of gilding and bearing gilded decorations showing the god Osiris, the god of the after life, while the other mummy wears a crown, decorated with horns, and the You can see traces of colour, it was once painted.. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. After successfully petitioning the Egyptian government to conduct research in the area, she began diggingand though she hasnt found Cleopatras tomb yet, shes made many other important discoveries over the past 15 or so years, including the tunnel. But Dr.Martnez made clear that the greatest prize of all will be Cleopatra's tomb. UPDATE:Kathleen Martinez discovers 16 mummiesat Taposiris Magna. She made sure that her human remains and Mark Antony's were hidden from the Romans and their descendants forever.". "I would get close to Cleopatra's sarcophagus first, touch it and tell her, 'The world has never forgotten you, Queen Cleopatra,'" she says. [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. Ten years later, she may be much closer than that. "Since I was a kid, I dreamed of being face to face [with] Queen Cleopatra," Martinez says. 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 . In 2005, Martinez and her team became the first archaeologists from Latin America to gain permission to carry out excavations on Egyptian soil. [4], In 2021, Egyptian-Dominican researchers led by Kathleen Martinez have announced the discovery of 2,000-year-old ancient tombs with golden tongues dating to the Greek and Roman periods at Taposiris Magna. "Every day I got more and more interested in this woman," Dr. Martneztold Wharton. Historians believe they are likely buried together, but they dont know where. While searching inside a newly discovered burial shaft, they found a 2,000-year-old mummy with a golden tongue. Cleopatra may have buried her husband in the temple to fulfill the myth, Martinez told CNN. "It will be the most important discovery of the century," she said. 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. 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.". 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. "Her looks are completely irrelevant.". It remains to be seen if Martinez will ever find the burial place of Cleopatra. 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. "Suppose the mausoleum is not lost under the Mediterranean Sea. "The most interesting discovery is the complex of tunnels leading to the Mediterranean Sea and sunken structures," she added. She was a victim of propaganda by the Romans, aiming to distort her image," Martinez said. 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. DONT MISSEnd of the world: How archaeologist discovered 'real Maayan doomsday'[VIDEO]Mayan DISCOVERY: How find in ancient city reveals creation story'[CLAIM]Egypt: How greatest archaeological find of all time' stunned expert[REVEALED]. It was the first time that Egypt had granted a license to excavate to a country in Latin America. Her hopes are high that Cleopatra's tomb is just around the corner with all the puzzle pieces falling into place. During these excavations, they also uncovered 200 royal coins depicting the queens face and the remains of two high-status Egyptians, giving weight to their theory. The archaeological evidence includes two subterranean chambers within the temple's walls. READ MORE:Egypt: Cave complex' beneath Great Pyramid exposed in hunt for 'lost underworld'. In archaeology, two months is nothing, she said in a 2016 interview with the New York City-based news agency DNAinfo. But, shes a trailblazer and Im very proud of her for not taking no for an answer and plowing ahead. The knocked out lower teeth are seen in the photo to the right of the golden tongue. 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. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The team, led by archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, discovered the heads of two Ptolemaic-era statues made of alabaster close to the temple, one of which was likely a representation of the sphinx. "She outsmarted the many historians and archaeologists who have looked for her for centuries. Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. 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. And if Martinez finds her, the journey will have only just begun. / CBS News. [5] After advancing in her research, she discovered the difference between oriental texts and ones written by the Romans. Most of these artefacts have gone on display in high-profile exhibitions both in Egypt and the US. Its possible they were used for priestly rituals., Whatever their purpose, the find convinced the authorities to extend the permit.. She also holds master's degrees in finance and archaeology.[2]. in archaeology, in pursuit of her ancient heroine. Martinez first began searching for Cleopatra's lost tomb in 2005. But what could they be for? 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. Martinez, who called the tunnel an engineering miracle. She continued by pointing out that a portion of the tunnel was discovered beneath the Mediterranean Sea and that the mission had discovered several ceramic jars and pots as well as a rectangular block of limestone buried beneath the mud sediments. Archaeologists are yet to find the resting place of Cleopatra, but on the hunt there have been some beautifulpuzzle pieces unearthed. In that case, like most Hellenistic city Alexandria, it might be the most prominent archaeological finding in decades," the, . An intact tomb would enable a wealth of scientific research. It is known that Cleopatra and Mark Antony felt an affinity to these figures from Egyptian mythology, and Martinez was certain that if she just found the right temple, she would find the mummies of Cleopatra and her consort somewhere inside. 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. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. If that happens, it would represent the perfect capstone to the career of a true pioneer in her field. Add some good to your morning and evening. "Theres nothing Ive come across anyway that gives us a reason not to think that is the case. Express. Other problems, less theoretical, awaited her in Egypt: endless visa complications, hostile customs agents, a brief arrest. 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. This glittering discovery was made by a joint team of archaeologists from the Dominican Republic and Egypt, headed by trailblazing archaeologist Kathleen Martinez. She first became interested in archaeology and ancient Egypt at the age of 15, when she became deeply obsessed with the life and times of the legendary Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt and close friend of Mark Antony and Julius Caesar, as has been immortalized repeatedly in Hollywood movie s since the beginning of the film industry. How much money is Kathleen Martnez making on Youtube? 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Her project was approved a year later. Dr Kathleen Martinez has spent years trying to find Cleopatras tomb and she is convinced it lies 30 miles outside of the city in the ancient temple site of Taposiris Magna. Up at night with an infant and temporarily living in Madrid while her husband studied cardiology, Martinez cast about for something challenging to occupy her time; she decided to get a master's degree in finance. Read on to find out more. 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. Her father, professor and legal scholar Fausto Martnez,[1] owned an extensive private library, which she drew on to research the subject which would become her great passion Egypt and the last days of Cleopatra. But there is no disputing the enormity of Martinezs accomplishments in the nearly two decades she has spent exploring the Taposiris Magna site. Though she ruled thousands of years in the past, Martinez says Cleopatra still matters today. Every ruler of the day had their likeness minted into coins. 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. Copyright Greekcitytimes 2023 All Rights Reserved. According to the discoveries made so far, King Ptolemy IV, who reigned from 221 BC to 204 BC, constructed the temple in Alexandria. SECRETS OF THE DEAD "Cleopatra's Lost Tomb" follows Kathleen Martinez (pictured), a criminal lawyer from the Dominican Republic turned maverick archaeologist, as she . Cleopatra was multilingual, precociously intelligent, an able stateswoman who wrote monographs on medicine and law. She noted: What I have been doing is to excavate in places where I have better chances. Get latest Kathleen Martinez news and updates. The series went on to speculate over the chambers potential use and how it was vital to continuing the search for the lost queen. "If the mausoleum of Cleopatra has not already vanished beneath the waves of the Mediterranean along with most of the Hellenistic city of Alexandria, and is one day found, it would be an almost unprecedented archaeological discovery," said Jane Draycott, a lecturer in classics at the University of Glasgow. If the tomb is found, "the history of the famous Cleopatra would change forever. 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. Her first language was Greek and in . What is stunning is the shape of the chamber, it is unique. 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. Sorensen . Ms Martinez left her marriage and moved to Egypt more than 15 years ago in the hope of solving the mystery, becoming the only archaeologist from the Dominican Republic practising outside her country. Cleopatra was not black. Cookie Policy The 4,281-foot-long channel, buried 43 feet underground, is the result of nearly two decades of searching. Step into the past and uncover the mysteries of Micronesias Nan Madol, one of the most ancient and enigmatic lost cities in the world. Dr. Martnezherself (above) has a fascinating story. In that case, like most Hellenistic city Alexandria, it might be the most prominent archaeological finding in decades," the Economic Times concurred this week. 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. In 2011 the magazine National Geographic dedicated its cover story and a report to the project. "I am 80% of the way to prove my theory [of Cleopatra's tomb]," she told Wharton in 2012. "The amount of new information Egyptologists, classicists, ancient historians, and archaeologists could glean from its contents would be immense.". 2K views, 27 likes, 7 loves, 18 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Dbstvstlucia: DBS MORNING SHOW & OBITUARIES 25TH APRIL 2023 APRIL 2023 No. Im so happy to see Kathleen Martinezs accomplishments. They stumbled upon a mysterious depression in the ground.. Terms of Use Cutting Edge Celtic Tech - 2,300-year-old Scissors Still Sharp and Shiny! Besides the scientific value of finding it, can you imagine what it will do to tourism in Egypt?. The 10 Most "OMG" Science Discoveries of 2022. 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. It was not the first time it had been excavated; the first expedition had been sent by Napoleon. Who was Cleopatra? The mission, headed by. Kathleen Martinez is a former criminal lawyer from the Dominican Republic who is now determined to find the Egyptian queen's lost tomb. Katie . "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. "Even though Cleopatra was a Roman prisoner by the time of her suicide, she disappeared from captivity. Where could such a temple be, though, that hadn't already been discovered? It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Monday, 1st May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. 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. Dr. Martnez's interest in Cleopatra was consuming. Excavations have revealed that the temple was indeed dedicated to Isis, along with tunnels that lie under the sea. One of the more remarkable finds was a female mummy that was enclosed in a full body death mask . [4][6], Martnez made her first trip to Egypt in 2002. 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". They split up, and Dr. Martnez threw herself into her new field. She has made. Advertising Notice Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. When she arrived at Taposiris Magna she understood, she explains, that it was the place she was looking for. "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. An opposing regime could not be a reliable source on her life and legacy. Its discoverers theorize that the tongue was attached so that the deceased individual could communicate verbally with Osiris in the afterworld. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 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. 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. Martinez's team has been digging for 14 years. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Trending And Reel. She points out that our current calendar traces its roots back to the Egyptian leader, although typically only credited to Caesar and a 16th century Pope. Excavations so far have unearthed more than 1,500 ancient objects. Lively debate has even been devoted to whether she was attractive. During previous excavations at the site, researchers also found important artifacts inside the temple, including coins bearing the images and names of both Queen Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. Archaeologists have discovered a massive ancient rock tunnel beneath an Egyptian temple, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced last week. 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. The next step for Martinez and her team is underwater excavations. "Because Cleopatra outsmarted everyone," Martinez says. The team also unearthed gold leaf amulets in the form of tongues placed for speaking with the god Osiris in the afterlife. The reality, Martnez asserts, is that it had been destroyed and forgotten in the sand. A hieroglyphic and Demotic stele has also been located, indicating that the temple was considered holy ground. Several clues led her to believe that Cleopatra's tomb might be located in the Temple of Osiris in Taposiris Magna, a region of ancient ruins on Egypt's northern coast, near the Mediterranean Sea.