Tunnel Found Underneath Egyptian Temple Astounds Researchers. 'A Geometric Miracle'.

The pursuit of Cleopatra's tomb led researchers to an impeccably built tunnel, reflecting the astounding architectural expertise of those times. The discovery was made underneath a temple in the ancient ruined city of Taposiris Magna, Indy100 reported. They unearthed a vast tunnel, built with such precision that many scientists found it to be a "geometric miracle."

Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist with the University of Santo Domingo located the tunnel, Smithsonian Magazine reported. She also found two Ptolemaic-era alabaster statues and several ceramic vessels and pots along with the tunnel.

Taposiris Magna is dedicated to Osiris, the deity of death. The tunnel was placed 43 feet below the temple and measured 6.5 feet tall. Part of the tunnel was submerged in water, which experts speculated was the outcome of several earthquakes that struck the region between 320 and 1303 C.E. Archaeologists further suspected that these earthquakes also caused the temple to collapse.

Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities regarded the tunnel as similar to the 1,306-metre Tunnel of Eupalinos – a 6th-century BC aqueduct on the Greek island of Samos. Indy100 reported. The tunnel of Eupalinos is often called a marvel of engineering by experts. As per researchers, the tunnel under Taposiris Magna is equally impressive.

Though Martinez did not find what she set out to locate—Cleopatra's tomb—she was not dissuaded, Indy100 reported. She believes that the tunnel is a promising lead. Taposiris Magna was established by Ptolemy II, the son of Alexander the Great's renowned general and one of Cleopatra's forebears.

Martinez and her team believe that along with Osiris, the temple also had associations with his queen goddess Isis, Indy100 reported. It is a well-known fact that Cleopatra was devoted to Isis. Researchers have found figurines of Isis as well as coins bearing the likeness of Cleopatra on the site. All these developments keep the team optimistic about being on the correct path of unearthing Cleopatra's tomb. 

Martinez continues to be determined, Smithsonian Magzine reported. "If there’s one percent of a chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her," she stated.