Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez's Quest to Find Cleopatra's Remains

October 3, 2023 Al Fusaic

By Ana Mariel Campusano

Cleopatra holds significant historical achievement in ancient Egyptian civilization. Captivating as she was, her intelligence surpassed that of the Romans, exceeding personal and strategic relations worthy of admiration. By her eighteenth year, Cleopatra spoke nine languages, held military prowess, and had far-fetched intellect. Her beauty was bewildering, which strategically beguiled her intelligence. As the last monarch of the Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty, many remained dubious of her official resting place as the Queen committed suicide in an effort not to be paraded as a prize when the Romans captured Egypt. This abstract story emphasizes that the great Queen “outsmarted everyone,” as Kathleen Martinez suggests. Scholars argue over where she could have been buried, but considering her wisdom, Cleopatra’s goal was probably to prevail in the people's minds and not as a corpse.

Kathleen Martinez is a Dominican lawyer, archaeologist, and diplomat, recently on the quest to find the remains of Cleopatra in Egypt. She began her search in 2017 and has had remarkable achievements, such as an exhibition of her findings in Taposiris Magna. From having the most extensive private library in the Caribbean, Martinez has dedicated her life to the great mystery of finding the tomb of the remembered Cleopatra. She may have asked herself why the great queen of Egypt's grave had been overlooked. She has a theory that if the great queen were considered a goddess, she would be in a temple. Many great leaders in the world have been buried in temples, and she wondered how no one could else see this. Since then, her discoveries have proven significant. The finding of an underground chamber in the temple, Taposiris Magna, further proves her theory of the architectural makeup of these structures. The excavations and research activities of Martinez have shown evidence of ceramic tombstones in the period of Cleopatra.

While many believe that any remains of Cleopatra sank in the Mediterranean, more discoveries in the necropolis prove a breakthrough in history. By excavating in odd places such as simple ruins, Martinez has fought to earn a position in these far-off places. With official permissions, limited site timings, and machinery obstacles, Martinez’s project gets approved, and she goes on to prove her theories. It is apparent the degree of passion that the archeologist has for the great queen, but her approach is that important people are buried in this temple. From coinage to uniform buttons and even six burial chambers found in these ruins have earned Martinez the respect this fabulous work deserves. The undertaking of this superb search has undoubtedly shown development and certitude that the world has not forgotten the great Queen.

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