A small statue discovered under a temple wall at the site of an ancient Egyptian city may depict Cleopatra VII, the Egyptian queen who romanced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, according to the archaeologist who is leading excavations at the site, known as Taposiris Magna. However, other archaeologists think the bust likely represents someone else.
The white, marble statue — which is small enough to fit in a person's hand — shows a female wearing a royal crown. Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist who leads the Egyptian-Dominican team that is excavating the site, believes the statue depicts Cleopatra VII, according to a translated statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Cleopatra VII (lived from 69 to 30 B.C.) was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which started when Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great's generals, started ruling ancient Egypt in 305 B.C.
