Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a vast underground tunnel at a temple that is thought to contain the long-lost tomb of Cleopatra.
The tunnel - spanning the length of more than 12 football pitches and carved into rock approximately 13 metres below the ground - was found during excavations at the temple of Taposiris Magna, west of Egypt’s second-largest city, Alexandria.
Cleopatra was the last queen of Egypt, ruling from 51 to 30BC before her death at the age of 39. The famous queen shared one son with Roman ruler Julius Caesar, as well as twins with general Mark Antony.
The tomb of Antony and Cleopatra is long lost, but is believed to be sited at Taposiris Magna - a temple dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Osiris.
The newly excavated tunnel was found by a team of archaeologists from the University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, headed by Dr Kathleen Martinez, who is searching for Cleopatra’s tomb.
Dr Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Archeology, said its architectural design appears “very similar” to the the Tunnel of Eupalinos - an aqueduct built in the 6th century BC in Samos, Greece, than served as an aqueduct.
The Greek tunnel is considered one of the most important engineering achievements of antiquity.
The tunnel found at Taposiris Magna is approximately 300m longer than the Tunnel of Eupalinos, and has been heralded “a geometric miracle” by Dr Waziri.
Dr Waziri added that part of the structure was found submerged beneath water from the Mediterranean Sea, which lies near to the coastal temple.
The excavation has also uncovered “important artefacts” including coins bearing the images and names of Cleopatra and Alexander the Great.
A network of tunnels stretching from King Marriott Lake to the Mediterranean have also been discovered, along with 16 mummies buried inside rock-carved tombs.
Dr Zahi Hawass, former head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, previously said that if Cleopatra’s tomb is discovered, “it will be the most important discovery of the 21st century”.
Dr Martinez has been carrying out digs at Taposiris Magna since 2004, and as excavations have continued she has in recent years grown increasingly confident that the the queen’s lost tomb is located there.
