Antony and Cleopatra's underwater tomb set to be opened

Rome, Apr 25 : Archaeologists are set to test the theory about whether or not Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony are buried together by opening their 2,000-year-old tomb later this year.

The announcement was made by Zahi Hawass, director of Egypt's superior council for antiquities, at a media conference in Cairo.

The remains of Cleopatra and Antony are said to be inside a temple called Tabusiris Magna, which lies 30 kilometres from the port city of Alexandria in northern Egypt.

However, access to the tomb has been hindered as it under water, reports Adnkronos International.

Now, archaeologists plan to overcome this hurdle by draining the site, and beginning work in November.

Clues that have led to the belief that Tabusiris Magna is Cleopatra's resting place include the finding of numerous coins with her face embossed on them.

Further evidence to this effect has been the discovery of a 120-metre-long underground tunnel with many rooms, some of which could contain more details about Cleopatra.

Cleopatra, who came to power at the age of 18 years, is considered to be the last of seven queens of the same name.

She was famous for her intelligence, her beauty and her political power.

She was first Julius Caesar's lover and bore him a son Caesarion. Antony was his general.

Following Caesar's death, the love affair between Cleopatra and Antony began, and she bore him twins.

When Antony committed suicide after his defeat in the civil war against Octavian. Caesar's nephew in August 30 B.C., Cleopatra too committed suicide.

ANI