For the past 14 years, Dr. Kathleen Martnez has been the head of excavations at Taposiris Magna. A series of clues led Martinez to believe Cleopatra's tomb might be located in the Temple of Osiris in the ruined city of Taposiris Magna, on Egypt's northern coast, where the Nile River meets the Mediterranean. Thoths Storm: New Evidence for Ancient Egyptians in Ireland? SECRETS OF THE DEAD "Cleopatra's Lost Tomb" follows Kathleen Martinez (pictured), a criminal lawyer from the Dominican Republic turned maverick archaeologist, as she . Copyright Greekcitytimes 2023 All Rights Reserved. "She was an educated woman, probably the first one who studied formally at the Museum in Alexandria, the center of culture in her time," according to Martinez, who said she admires Cleopatra as a student, a linguist, a mother and a philosopher. Perhaps, one day, Taposiris Magna will deliver the ultimate prize to Kathleen Martinez, and reveal itself as the actual burial site of Cleopatra. Courtesy of Paul Olding. Its discoverers theorize that the tongue was attached so that the deceased individual could communicate verbally with Osiris in the afterworld. A female mummy that was enclosed in a full body death mask. It means that the mummy had an actual golden tongue - a replica made from precisely shaped, shiny golden foil. It was a true passion, and like all passions it cost her dearly. UPDATE:Kathleen Martinez discovers 16 mummiesat Taposiris Magna. One of the mummies mentioned was found wearing a detailed crown adorned with a cobra and a pair of horns. An intact tomb would enable a wealth of scientific research. Despite having a short time to look, Martinez made a discovery that was destined to change her life. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. In that case, like most Hellenistic city Alexandria, it might be the most prominent archaeological finding in decades," the Economic Times concurred this week. The mummies were depicted in different forms: one of them was wearing a crown, decorated with horns, and the cobra snake at the forehead and the other was depicted with gilded decorations representing the wide necklace. Cleopatra followed suit. / CBS News. Returning home to the Dominican Republic, Martinez convinced officials at the University of Santo Domingo to sponsor further archaeological work at Taposiris Magna. They have also uncovered skeletons, mummies, the tomb of a Ptolemaic general, underground passages, and burial rooms. "She knew medicine, laws; she was a philosopher, a poet," Martnez explains. UPDATE: Kathleen Martinez discovers 16 mummies at Taposiris Magna. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Watch Searching for Cleopatra on The Nature of Things. Dr. Kathleen Martinez believes the most important discovery has been the preserved scrolls and funeral mask of two mummies found in the dig, according to the statement. 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. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. Kathleen Martinez Berry creates entire careers out of idle moments. Greg Cannella is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. An Inspirational Courtesans Tale, Was Anne of Cleves Too Ugly for King Henry VIII? Two of the well-preserved statues recently discovered, believed to represent some of the important individuals buried in the Taposiris Magna temple. It was the first time that Egypt had granted a license to excavate to a country in Latin America. 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. Cleopatra may be resting there. The whole idea that she could have been buried at Taposiris Magna is not really based on evidence.". Work began in 2004. 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. Cleopatra was multilingual, precociously intelligent, an able stateswoman who wrote monographs on medicine and law. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. 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. Most of these artefacts have gone on display in high-profile exhibitions both in Egypt and the US. 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. 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. During recent explorations at an ancient Egyptian temple near Alexandria, archaeologists found something startling and unique. But Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton does not pin much hope on the likelihood of finding Cleopatra at the site. She made sure that her human remains and Mark Antony's were hidden from the Romans and their descendants forever.". Two millennia after Cleopatra died, it's unclear where the remains of the queen and Mark Antony are buried. Archeologists described the tunnel a "geometric miracle," according to a news release from the ministry. [2], Martinez returned to the Dominican Republic, met with the Dominican Republic Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed as the first Minister of Culture to Egypt, and was issued a diplomatic passport.[7][8]. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. She wasn't even Egyptian she was a descendent of Macedonians known as the Ptolemies. She has made several previous discoveries in her search for . A hieroglyphic and Demotic stele has also been located, indicating that the temple was considered holy ground. Photo: KTVU Fox. Related Article: Ancient Luxor Garbage Dump Yield Offerings Inside Temple Dedicated to Hathor; Artifacts Found Related to Ancient Egyptian Love, Fertility They stumbled upon a mysterious depression in the ground.. Read on to find out more. Earlier this year (May 2010), I found an interesting article about Dominican archeologist Kathleen Martnez's discovery (with a Dominican-Egyptian team) of a large statue dated 300 BC, representing King Ptolemy IV, during excavations in the zone in which the team was searching for the tombs of Cleopatra and the Roman general Marc Anthony. One of the more remarkable finds was a female mummy that was enclosed in a full body death mask . 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. 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. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Your Privacy Rights 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 masters degree in archaeology. 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 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. Excavations have revealed that the temple was indeed dedicated to Isis, along with tunnels that lie under the sea. Martinez, who founded her own immigration law firm in 2020, says her journey began in her home state of Oregon. 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]. The Controversial Lapedo Child A Neanderthal / Human Hybrid? The mission, headed by. She has made several previous discoveries in her search for the tomb of Queen Cleopatra. This is where Martinez and her team are looking next. ", "Zahi Hawass reconoce que no se est cerca de hallar la tumba de Cleopatra", "Expondrn en Museo del Cairo los logros de la arqueloga Kathleen Martnez en la bsqueda de la tumba de Cleopatra", "Cancillera reconoce a arqueloga dominicana que busca la tumba de Cleopatra", "Egipto expone los secretos de la excavacin que busca a Cleopatra", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kathleen_Martnez&oldid=1141234691, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henrquez Urea alumni, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Cultural Personality of the Year Award (2011), Recognition of the Foreign Ministry of the Dominican Republic "for her substantial contributions to universal culture and for placing the Dominican Republic on the world map of the intellectual community" (December 2018), This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 01:30. The moment has been immortalized in art and literature -- but, more than two millennia later, little is known about where their remains lie. Martinez imagines her first words if she actually found the lost ruler. The famous ancient Egyptian queens proposed ties to the site has brought it to international headlines as new and intriguing finds and documentaries are made about the site every few years. Explore Kathleen Martinez photos, videos and information on Times Now She began studying this enigmatic queen on her own, eventually giving up a plan for a master's degree in finance and planning instead for an M.A. Martinez says the ancient ruler was misunderstood, and most of what we knew about her came from the Romans, who considered her a rival. (Koantao/ CC BY-SA 3.0 ). And not just any lawyer Knowledge at Wharton called her "one of the Dominican Republic's most sought-after criminal attorneys." The iconic deaths led to numerous books and films, and a mystery. She was a victim of propaganda by the Romans, aiming to distort her image," said Martinez. Trending And Reel. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Historians believe they are likely buried together, but they dont know where. The name of the temple, Tapozeris Magna, is dedicated to Osiris the God of death. First published on November 10, 2022 / 5:42 PM. Experts have said that such a discovery would rewrite history and be a once-in-a-century event. Housing bubble warning: Bank of England to loosen lending rules, Boris sets date to review Christmas Covid plans as lockdown fears grow, Crocodile attack: Teen attacked fully accepted' losing leg. "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. She managed to contact Zahi Hawass, the archaeologist and director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and visit some temples. 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. He toldExpress.co.ukearlier this year: All of the evidence we have, and there are lots of classical accounts written by writers like Strabo which give us clues as to where the tomb was. The reality, Martnez asserts, is that it had been destroyed and forgotten in the sand. Sarah Kuta Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. Kathleen Martnez herself financed the first expedition and many others. With unimaginable wealth and. Cutting Edge Celtic Tech - 2,300-year-old Scissors Still Sharp and Shiny! And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Hawass denied the news in an article in the newspaper Al-Ahram, affirming that the thesis that the tombs were in Taposiris Magna was not his but that of Kathleen Martnez, and that he did not believe Martnez's hypothesis because "the Egyptians never buried inside a temple", given that "the temples were for worshiping, and this was for the goddess Isis. Kathleen Martinez videos and latest news articles; GlobalNews.ca your source for the latest news on Kathleen Martinez . Step into the past and uncover the mysteries of Micronesias Nan Madol, one of the most ancient and enigmatic lost cities in the world. Martinez, a criminal lawyer turned archaeologist, has believed for many years that the ancient queen was buried at the Taposiris Magna Temple. Thispoor person not only had their tongue removed, andall of their upper teeth. 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But most importantly, Ms Martinez has found tablets the size of mobile phones, which state the name of the temple, the deity to which it is dedicated, the year of its construction and the name of the monarch at the time. Cleopatra was not black. 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. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and powerful political acumen. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, What's your favourite Fairy Tales (and their possible origins), about The 10 Most Exciting and Extraordinary Artifact Finds Of 2021, What Did Ancient Greece Really Look Like? The location of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra is an ancient. 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. "If I discover her tomb, many myths about her will be unveiled.". Cleopatra took her own life after the Romans captured Egypt in 30 BC. ( Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ). She's unearthed exciting artifacts linked to Cleopatra at Taposiris Magna, an ancient temple outside of Alexandria, Egypt. They split up, and Dr. Martnez threw herself into her new field. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Theyre not to be discounted and her theory could prove correct. The series went on to speculate over the chambers potential use and how it was vital to continuing the search for the lost queen. She heads the Egyptian-Dominican mission in Alexandria, and is currently minister counselor in charge of cultural affairs at the Dominican embassy in Egypt. "Even though Cleopatra was a Roman prisoner by the time of her suicide, she disappeared from captivity. Later, she earned a master's degree in finance, and then a master's in archaeology. ". The 4,281-foot-long channel, buried 43 feet underground, is the result of nearly two decades of searching. On the final day of the dig, in a last desperate throw of the dice, Kathleen spread her team over the whole site. The 10 Most "OMG" Science Discoveries of 2022. 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 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. While searching inside a newly discovered burial shaft, they found a 2,000-year-old mummy with a golden tongue. See the five biggest finds in the hunt for Egypt's Cleopatra here. The. Who was Cleopatra? Martinez has a fascinating life story herself. Get latest Kathleen Martinez news and updates. Katie . 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. Although it is "too early to know where these tunnels lead," she is hopeful. A discovery means a massive archaeological undertaking of cataloguing the tomb and its treasures, excavation and restoration, moving artifacts safely and interpreting the historical meaning behind its contents. She and her team have discovered hundreds of artifacts since their excavations began in 2005, including a bust of Cleopatra and several ancient coins from her time bearing her image. But Dr.Martnez made clear that the greatest prize of all will be Cleopatra's tomb. "The most interesting discovery is the complex of tunnels leading to the Mediterranean Sea and sunken structures," she added. This isnt to suggest that the mummy suddenly came to life and began impressing them with its powers of oratory persuasion. A mom influencer from California who went viral in 2020 after posting a video on social media claiming a Latino couple tried to abduct her kids has been convicted . 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. But, shes a trailblazer and Im very proud of her for not taking no for an answer and plowing ahead. Theyve also found figurines, statues of the goddessIsis, a mummy with a gold tongue and a cemetery full of Greco-Roman-style mummies. Other problems, less theoretical, awaited her in Egypt: endless visa complications, hostile customs agents, a brief arrest. 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]. "Because Cleopatra outsmarted everyone," Martinez says. The mission is attempting to uncover a portion of the Temple of Taposiris Magnas foundations that have been revealed by numerous pieces of archeological evidence. 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. Though she ruled thousands of years in the past, Martinez says Cleopatra still matters today. [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. A Brief History of Steamboat Racing in the U.S. The discoveries made during that time have made her more and more certain that she is close to the long-lost tomb of Cleopatra VII and her lover Mark Antony . 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. Finding the lost tomb of Cleopatra, legendary queen of ancient Egypt, is a kind of holy grail for archeologists. After ruling out some temples, she located one on the outskirts of Alexandria that met all her criteria to be the one that sheltered the tomb: the temple of Taposiris Magna (the great house of Osiris). Add some good to your morning and evening. The team also unearthed gold leaf amulets in the form of tongues placed for speaking with the god Osiris in the afterlife. K athleen Martinez, an archaeologist at the University of Santo Domingo, has been searching for the lost tomb of Cleopatra for nearly 20 years. in archaeology, in pursuit of her ancient heroine. It had holes [in the wall] to go down, they didnt use ladders in ancient times. [14], In January 2019, controversy arose over the possibility that the discovery of the tombs was imminent, attributed to remarks by Zahi Hawass at a conference at the University of Palermo. She has been portrayed at times as a sinister seductress, a "sex kitten" and a "fast woman," as the documentary shows. Lively debate has even been devoted to whether she was attractive. 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. The team of Egyptian archaeologists and Bedouin helpers, led by Ms Martinez have discovered coins that bear the images of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. 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 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. 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. "I would get close to Cleopatra's sarcophagus first, touch it and tell her, 'The world has never forgotten you, Queen Cleopatra,'" she says. Martinez believes Cleopatra may have chosen to bury her husband in the temple to reflect this myth. "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. They said a number of beheaded statues, and statues of the goddess Isis, were also found. You can see traces of colour, it was once painted.. I admire Cleopatra as a historical character. 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. If they indeed find Cleopatra, "it will be the most important discovery of the century," she told CNN. Dr. Martnez's interest in Cleopatra was consuming. Cookie Policy This glittering discovery was made by a joint team of archaeologists from the Dominican Republic and Egypt, headed by trailblazing archaeologist Kathleen Martinez. Partially intact scrolls were found next to these mummies, and the archaeologists have now begun the long laborious process of decoding the scrolls to see what secrets they might reveal. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? "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. Although the triumphant Romans plundered her legacy and life story, Martinez says Cleopatra was determined they would never find her tomb. 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. | READ MORE. 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"It will be the most important discovery of the century," she said. 'Cleopatra outsmarted everyone,' says archeologist who has devoted her life to finding the ancient queen | CBC Documentaries Loaded, Kathleen Martinez tells us of her search for Cleopatra and why her legacy is still important today. [16] The artifacts are a record of daily life, administrative and religious activities, and royal and social roles that emerged at the end of the Ptolemaic period. Against all odds, Martinez wangled a two-month permit to explore several temples that were normally not open to independent researchers. Neolithic Stone Balls: The Northern Rosetta Stone? She also set a precedent for powerful women, Martinez adds. The Egyptian authorities considered it an unimportant, unfinished temple. What happens to First Republic Bank's stock and deposits now? Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist at the University of Santo Domingo, has uncovered a tunnel in Northern Egypt that she believes may lead to Cleopatra's final resting place. A form of punishment or possibly disease? [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 Martinez, an archaeologist at the University of Santo Domingo, has uncovered a tunnel in Northern Egypt that she believes may lead to Cleopatra's final resting place. Excavations at Taposiris Magna are headed by Dr Kathleen Martnez, who, after working there for over 14 years, is more convinced than. "No other place, structure or temple combines so many conditions as the temple of Taposiris Magna," she said. K athleen Martnez is - in one word - impressive. Kathleen Martinez is a former criminal lawyer from the Dominican Republic who is now determined to find the Egyptian queen's lost tomb. According to the latest Youtube stat on 2023-04-17, Kathleen Martnez has a total video view count of 500 Thousand on the Youtube channel and Kathleen Martnez has 3.59 Thousand subscribers on the same Youtube channel. As she told the Heritage Key blog in 2009, If theres one percent of a chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her.. And Reel Truth Historys documentary Did Kathleen Martinez Find Cleopatra's Lost Tomb? revealed how the expert made a stunning breakthrough during her excavation. A group led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez, who heads the Egyptian-Dominican mission of the University of Santo Domingo, uncovered the tunnel. In archaeology, two months is nothing, she said in a 2016 interview with the New York City-based news agency DNAinfo. Part of the tunnel, or other tunnels that branch out from it, are under the sea. But I took what they gave me, and the last day of those two months, I made a big discovery that changed the architecture of Egyptian temples. Monday, 1st May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine 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.