Dig 'may reveal' Cleopatra's tomb

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk Archaeologists are to search three sites in Egypt that they say may contain the tomb of doomed lovers Anthony and Cleopatra. Excavation at the sites, which are near a temple west of the coastal city of Alexandria, is due to begin next week. Teams working in the area said the recent discovery of tombs containing 10 mummies suggested that Anthony and Cleopatra might be buried close by. The teams also found a bust of Cleopatra and coins carrying her image. 'Charm' Alongside the coins and bust of Cleopatra, a mask believed to belong to Mark Anthony was also found. The temple was built during the reign of King Ptolemy II (282-246BC). Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide in 30BC after losing the Battle of Actium. Zahi Hawass, Egypt's chief archaeologist, said the coins found at the temple refuted "what some scholars have said about Cleopatra being very ugly". "The finds from Taposiris reflect a charm... and indicate that Cleopatra was in no way unattractive," he said.