Indiana Jones probably never saw this coming: Near Alexandria, an extraordinary ancient tunnel—a literal buried secret—has been unearthed, sending shockwaves through the archaeological community. Could these subterranean corridors hold the whispers of Cleopatra herself?
A Monumental Discovery Beneath the Sands and Waves
In recent months, deep beneath the Hellenistic temple of Taposiris Magna in Borg Al Arab, near Alexandria, archaeologists uncovered something astonishing: a previously unknown, meticulously constructed tunnel, skillfully carved beneath the ancient sanctuary. On November 3, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities officially announced the find, creating a buzz that would make even a pharaoh blush.
- The tunnel stretches a staggering 1.3 kilometers long (hopefully no one lost any keys along the way).
- Portions of it are submerged, with one end surfacing into the Mediterranean Sea.
- Archaeologists speculate this could have been an aqueduct, built during the era of Greek dominance in ancient Egypt.
This notable feat of engineering isn’t the work of a Western or Egyptian mission but comes courtesy of a Dominican-led team. Archaeologist Kathleen Martinez from the Catholic University of Santo Domingo gleefully described the tunnel as “an engineering marvel of exceptional importance,” situated up to 20 meters below the surface and, in some sections, covered by robust chevron vaulting and decorated with various inscriptions.
Mustafa Waziri, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, called it a “miraculous” structure. And let’s be honest, any tunnel that survives millennia, sandstorms, partial flooding, and the scrutiny of modern archaeologists probably deserves the title!
Diving Deeper: The Race Beneath the Mediterranean
This “miraculous” discovery quickly became a team effort. Underwater archaeology experts from Alexandria joined the Dominican mission to explore sections of the tunnel swallowed by the Mediterranean. Their underwater quest revealed a treasure trove of physical artifacts, including:
- Two small sculpted heads
- Coins and objects featuring the names and images of Queen Cleopatra and Alexander the Great—the regal bookends of Macedonian Egypt
- Limestone blocks and amphorae, hidden beneath layers of silt in the subaquatic portion
Access to the tunnel, based on the images provided by archaeologists, was possible through at least eight wells situated north of the Taposiris Magna religious complex. The temple itself, connected with a necropolis, was constructed and dedicated to Osiris, god of the dead, during the reign of Ptolemy II. This Hellenistic ruler also completed the world-famous Lighthouse of Alexandria (as if he needed another line on his résumé!). The gallery appears to have run a draught-straight line from the Mediterranean to Lake Mareotis, which nowadays is much reduced in size compared to its ancient form. The exact end point of the tunnel, however, remains shrouded in mystery—for now.
The Cleopatra Conundrum: Hope Amidst the Ruins
Now, before you book your flights and start assembling Indiana-Jones-style gear in hopes of visiting Cleopatra’s long-lost mausoleum, slow down. Martinez herself clarified that “no specific structure or tomb has yet been discovered.” She dismissed the fevered speculation about this being the definitive site of Cleopatra’s grave—a mystery the media-savvy archaeologist has vowed to solve someday, much to the impatience of would-be history sleuths. There is, however, hope on the horizon: “This is only the beginning of a massive underwater research project that will require much more work,” Martinez stated. Her team’s relentless inquiry at Taposiris Magna, an endeavor already stretching over fifteen years, is far from over.
Even as the tunnel’s grandeur leaves everyone starstruck, it’s not unprecedented. Archaeologists compared it to another similar ancient tunnel found on the Greek island of Samos. Constructed by Eupalinos of Megara in the mid-6th century BCE, that tunnel (excavated in the 1970s and stretching 1,036 meters) was also an underground aqueduct, showing off the civil engineering prowess of old—with slightly less pyramidal intrigue and, regrettably, no Cleopatra tomb at the end.
Looking Forward: The Dig Goes On
While the tunnel’s ultimate secrets remain sealed beneath mud and history, this discovery has already become a milestone in the archaeological tale of Alexandria. It’s a testament to cross-continental collaboration, to the enduring allure of Egyptian antiquity, and—let’s face it—to the fact that tunnels, even after centuries, remain really good at hiding things. The next wave of research, especially subaquatic exploration, promises more revelations. For now, we’re all left with something to dream about next time we see a patch of sand by the sea:
- What’s still hidden underfoot?
- Will we ever find Cleopatra’s tomb?
- And how exactly do you keep a tunnel dry for over two millennia?
Stay curious, keep your snorkels at the ready, and remember—the past, much like the best tunnels, usually goes deeper than you think!
