A submerged harbor discovered off Egypt’s northern coast may provide important clues in the ongoing search for Cleopatra’s long-lost tomb, while also revealing more about Egypt’s ancient maritime past, according to archaeologists.

Led by underwater researchers including Kathleen Martínez and Bob Ballard, the team found a series of large structures, possibly stone columns over 20 feet (6 meters) high, beneath the Mediterranean Sea. Additional discoveries included smoothed stone flooring, stone blocks held together with mortar, ship anchors, and amphorae — large jars used for storage — all dating back to the reign of Cleopatra.

This underwater port was found by following the path of a previously identified underground tunnel that stretches 4,281 feet (1,305 meters) from the temple ruins of Taposiris Magna, situated about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Alexandria, toward the coastline.

Martínez maintains that Taposiris Magna is likely Cleopatra’s final resting place, although some in the academic community view this interpretation with skepticism.

The newly revealed archaeological information was reported on September 18 by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and featured in a National Geographic documentary titled “Cleopatra’s Final Secret,” which is currently available on streaming platforms.

“In all my decades exploring underwater archaeology, I’ve never encountered anything that appears so deliberately constructed,” Ballard remarked in the film. Ballard, renowned for locating the Titanic shipwreck in 1985, is a leading figure in marine exploration.

As a new three-month excavation period begins at the ancient temple and surrounding underwater structures, Martínez — a former criminal attorney from the Dominican Republic turned archaeological researcher — sees this as a major advancement in her two-decade pursuit of Cleopatra’s tomb.

“Discovering Cleopatra’s tomb would be one of the greatest archaeological findings of this era,” Martínez said. “Tombs are like messages from the past, and I believe she would have ensured her burial conveyed essential insights about her life and beliefs.”

The Enigma of Cleopatra’s Death

Though she lived only 39 years, Cleopatra made an enduring mark in history as one of the few female monarchs and the final ruler of ancient Egypt.

Born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Cleopatra became queen at 18 and died in 30 BC following her defeat at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC by Roman leader Octavian, later known as Emperor Augustus.

In their conquest, the Romans sought to erase Cleopatra’s legacy. Only seven sculptures believed to portray her are known to survive today, according to Martínez.

“Her life and appearance are wrapped in legend and speculation,” Martínez explained. “If we find her tomb and it’s untouched, many of those questions about her could finally be answered.”

Historical accounts suggest she chose to die by provoking a venomous snake bite rather than be publicly paraded by the Romans. However, researchers debate whether she instead consumed poison.

“I am convinced she took extreme measures to keep the Romans from obtaining her corpse,” Martínez stated in the documentary.

Martínez theorizes that Cleopatra’s body was taken to Taposiris Magna and moved via the tunnel to the newly discovered harbor, where she might have been buried in secrecy.

Throughout her life, Cleopatra strongly linked herself to the goddess Isis, as ancient rulers were commonly seen as divine incarnations. Martínez investigated temples near Alexandria and ruled out several that were either too small or not dedicated to Isis.

She eventually focused on the grand temple at Taposiris Magna, located in what is now Borg El Arab, despite little historical information about the site’s origin or the deity it honored.

In 2004, after obtaining permission to excavate, Martínez’s team uncovered a blue glass item in 2005 with inscriptions in Greek and Egyptian indicating the temple was indeed dedicated to Isis.

The researchers later found hundreds of bronze coins bearing Cleopatra’s likeness at the site. Since then, ongoing discoveries have included the long submerged tunnel, found 43 feet (13 meters) below the temple in 2022. When the tunnel seemed to stretch into the sea, Martínez contacted Ballard to help explore what lay offshore.

Divers uncovered what looked like a collapsed harbor now covered in coral. Studies indicated that the ancient shoreline lay around 2.4 miles (4 kilometers) from where the modern coast stands.

According to Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, this port is highly significant for understanding Egypt’s maritime history, since it is not mentioned in ancient texts.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy emphasized the importance of such coastal hubs in ancient trade and cultural dialogue. He affirmed continued governmental support for Martínez’s efforts.

The Ongoing Search for Cleopatra’s Resting Place

In an update last December, the Ministry shared that Martínez’s team had uncovered new objects beneath the southern boundary of the Taposiris Magna complex.

The team discovered 337 coins, many of which depict Cleopatra’s image, along with ceramic items, stone containers for food and cosmetics, a statue, a ring inscribed in honor of the goddess Hathor, and a scarab amulet engraved with the phrase “The Justice of Ra has shone.”

These findings helped date the temple’s construction to the first century BC, aligning with Cleopatra’s lifetime.

Additional discoveries included a carved female figure wearing a crown and a limestone bust believed to portray a king.

Martínez identified the female statue as Cleopatra herself, a moment captured in the documentary. However, some experts are skeptical, citing differences from existing representations of the queen.

“Based on current evidence, the statue more likely depicts another royal woman,” stated the Ministry.

Martínez and her team now plan to analyze samples from the underwater structures, hoping to shed more light on the relics found so far. She remains optimistic that each dig moves her one step nearer to discovering the tomb, which she believes may also hold the remains of Roman general Mark Antony, said to have been buried alongside Cleopatra.

“If and when we find her resting place, today’s technology can reveal how she died and even recreate her appearance,” Martínez said.

Still, many scholars dispute the theory that Cleopatra is buried near Taposiris Magna.

Historian Paul Cartledge of the University of Cambridge believes she was interred in Alexandria’s royal cemetery. He noted that Roman Emperor Augustus would likely have ensured Cleopatra was buried there as a symbol of Rome’s succession to Egyptian royalty. Unfortunately, much of ancient Alexandria is now underwater due to natural disasters over time, making exploration difficult.

Dr. Jane Draycott of the University of Glasgow, while not involved in the excavation, noted that no Ptolemaic tombs from Alexandria’s royal district have yet been located. She also urges caution due to the lack of peer-reviewed reporting on Martínez’s findings.

“Ancient chronicles say Cleopatra maintained her own port in Alexandria near her palace. Most sources suggest her tomb was situated there, not at Taposiris Magna,” Draycott wrote. “However, if evidence such as inscriptions proves the site to be Cleopatra’s tomb, it would certainly be a monumental find.”