Egypt holds many valuable archaeological treasures. Beneath the sand lie the secrets of this ancient civilization. Excavation teams have a unique opportunity to uncover buried secrets and make discoveries that could alter history, such as the tomb of Queen Cleopatra. Colleen is examining hieroglyphs, Alejandro is scanning mummies, and Kathleen has made a significant discovery underground.
Ancient Egypt was a realm of great pharaohs and civilization. The last pharaoh, Cleopatra, left a mystery about her tomb. Archaeologists are on the hunt for clues in the Valley of the Kings, home to numerous hidden tombs, including the unfinished tomb of Ramses XI. This marks the end of an era of pharaoh burials in the valley.
Ramses XI is the last pharaoh buried in the Valley of the Kings, signaling the end of this burial tradition. After the valley fell out of use, the seat of power shifted to Alexandria. Archaeologists like Ross Thomas are searching for clues about Cleopatra in this ancient city, but much of it now lies underwater due to earthquakes.
Emad Khalil is exploring the sunken city and has found various artifacts such as columns, obelisks, and what might be part of the famous lighthouse. Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist, is investigating Taposiris Magna for Cleopatra’s tomb. She believes it might be hidden beneath this ancient temple. Kathleen has discovered a shaft that could lead to Cleopatra’s tomb, though excavation is risky.
In southern Egypt, Alejandro Jiménez-Serrano is exploring ancient tombs at Qubbet el-Hawa, searching for unmarked graves. A recent discovery includes a golden death mask found in one of the tombs.
**Alejandro and Kathleen’s Search for Cleopatra**
Alejandro is astonished by the quality of the cartonnage mask, noting its vivid colors and inscriptions. Before he can identify the person it belonged to, his team must carefully remove the fragile mask from the sand. They use soft paintbrushes to gently clear the sand and reinforce the mask with paper coated in resin to prevent damage. Alejandro feels privileged to work with such pristine material.
At Taposiris Magna, Kathleen Martinez is exploring a 2,000-year-old shaft, which she believes might lead to Cleopatra’s lost tomb. The shaft, however, is filled with water, complicating her efforts. Despite the flooding, Kathleen is determined to investigate further. She discovers a partially submerged door at the end of one tunnel and plans to pump out the water to continue her exploration. Kathleen is convinced that the temple is linked to the Egyptian goddess Isis and that this connection could be a clue to Cleopatra’s final resting place.
In Dendera, Dr. Colleen Darnell examines a significant depiction of Cleopatra in the Temple of Hathor. Cleopatra is shown wearing the headdress of Isis, symbolizing her desire to be seen as a divine ruler connected to the goddess. This depiction underscores Cleopatra’s attempt to align herself with one of the most revered deities of the time.
Back at Taposiris Magna, Kathleen’s team is working tirelessly to pump out the water from the flooded tunnels. Kathleen believes the tunnels might lead to Cleopatra’s burial chamber and is eagerly awaiting the results from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans. The radar technology, initially used for military purposes, is hoped to reveal hidden cavities and potentially pinpoint Cleopatra’s tomb.
In Aswan, Alejandro is dealing with several mummies and aims to uncover clues about their identities through non-invasive CT scans. These scans are used to investigate the contents of the mummies’ wrappings without causing damage. Alejandro is excited by the potential discoveries, including a rare amulet found within one of the mummies, which could reveal more about the deceased’s status and beliefs.
As the excavation season comes to an end, Kathleen receives promising news from the GPR results. A large cavity, possibly a tomb, has been detected beneath the temple entrance. This discovery is significant as it might be the final resting place of Cleopatra. Kathleen is thrilled by the find and looks forward to returning next season to continue her search and potentially uncover one of archaeology’s greatest treasures.
