The enigmatic figure of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, has intrigued generations across the globe. For years, archaeologists have embarked on quests to discover her tomb, believed to be the final resting place she shared with her lover, Mark Antony. Despite extensive explorations, the exact location remains elusive, with many theorizing that her burial site lies near the royal palace in Alexandria, Egypt.
National Geographic explorer Kathleen Martinez is reportedly closing in on Cleopatra’s burial site, speculating that it might be hidden at Taposiris Magna. Her two-decade-long pursuit of this theory—alongside the recent discovery of an ancient submerged port off the Mediterranean coast that likely belonged to the temple—forms the basis of the National Geographic documentary, Cleopatra’s Final Secret.
Although Martinez holds an archaeology degree, she began her professional journey as a criminal lawyer. She applies her legal expertise to unravel the mystery surrounding Cleopatra’s tomb, treating the investigation akin to a forensic case. “I sought to understand her character, the allies and foes in her life,” Martinez explained to Ars. “Cleopatra was a strategist, always preparing for different outcomes.” This strategic mindset led her to hypothesize that Cleopatra may have orchestrated her death, possibly arranging for loyal followers to secretly transport her body through hidden passages to a concealed burial site.
Drawing upon her understanding of the challenges inmates face in receiving outside food and items, Martinez noted Cleopatra’s own confinement at her palace. Legend suggests that an ally presented her with a basket of figs, concealing within it the deadly cobra responsible for her demise. Martinez has questioned why Cleopatra would choose an actual snake when she could have simply used venom mixed into her food or drink.
Martinez believes that the cobra’s association with the goddess Isis played a vital role. She posited that Cleopatra constructed her image to align with that of a goddess, making her death a divine act rather than a mere act of desperation. “It was the symbolism,” Martinez stated. “She was passing, but she did so as Isis—a goddess, not just a prisoner. This is how she transcended into legend.” In her view, it seems plausible that Cleopatra would have arranged for her burial and that of Antony within an Isis temple, a theory bolstered by historical writings, including those of Petrarch.
