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Archaeologists track down long-lost grave of Mark Antony and Cleopatra

Cleopatra on the terraces of Philae, 1896, by Frederick Arthur Bridgman (1847-1928).
Cleopatra on the terraces of Philae, 1896, by Frederick Arthur Bridgman (1847-1928).

Archaeologists are about to uncover the long-lost tomb of Egyptian queen Cleopatra and her Roman lover Mark Antony, Egyptian experts have claimed.

The two are thought to have committed suicide together around 30BC, after Roman general Antony fled to Egypt in the wake of a defeat at the hands of Octavian, soon to be the emperor Augustus.

Researchers now believe that the remains of the couple, immortalised in a Shakespeare Play and several films, are in the ancient city of Taposiris Magna, 18 miles from Alexandria.

Vintage engraving of Marcus Antonius 14 January 83 BC to 1 August 30 BC (Getty)
Vintage engraving of Marcus Antonius 14 January 83 BC to 1 August 30 BC (Getty)

Archaeologists believe they have found where the burial crypt of Antony and Cleopatra, who are thought to have died around 30 BC.

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Egyptian archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass said: ‘The long-lost tomb of Antony and Cleopatra will be eventually uncovered.

‘I do believe that they are buried in the same tomb,’ he said.

‘We are so close to discover the accurate location of the tomb; we are on the right way. We know where exactly we have to dig.

‘The burial site has been finally estimated to be in the region of Taposiris Magna, 30km away from Alexandria.’

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