Cleopatra’s ‘true face’ revealed on mysterious object found in long-lost Egyptian temple – but experts are torn
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A MARBLE bust believed to have the face of legendary Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII carved into it has been discovered in a recent excavation. The white marble statue, which depicts a woman wearing a royal crown, was found under the walls of the ancient Tapuziris Magna temple, in western Alexandria, Egypt.
![[Cleopatra VII is the Egyptian queen who famously romanced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cleopatra-s-bust-unearthed-ancient-956192665.jpg?strip=all&w=512)
It is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Kathleen Martinez, who was leading the dig, believes the statue depicts Cleopatra VII. However, some archaeologists say the bust represents someone else. “I looked at the bust carefully. It is not Cleopatra at all. It is Roman,” former Egyptian minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass told Live Science.
![[Cleopatra VII's reign lasted from 51 to 30 BC]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1564631949_4f146f.jpg?strip=all&w=789)
He noted that during the queen's time, pharaohs were portrayed in Egyptian art styles, and not Roman. Other archaeologists have suggested the bust belongs to a princess who lived after Cleopatra's death in 30 BC. Cleopatra VII, whose reign lasted from 51 to 30 BC, is the Egyptian queen who famously romanced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
![[The dig unearthed about 350 coins, many showing an image of Cleopatra VII]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cleopatra-s-bust-unearthed-ancient-956192652.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The dig unearthed about 350 coins, many showing an image of Cleopatra VII. A pottery set, oil lamps, limestone pots for preserving food and cosmetics, several bronze statues, a bronze ring dedicated to goddess Hathor, and an amulet engraved with the phrase “Ra’s justice has risen” were also found.
