Taposiris Magna
Alexandria - Capital CitiesWhat: A city established by Pharaoh Ptolemy II of which the Temple of Osiris is now of focal interest. Taposiris Magna means the Tomb of Osiris. After Alexandria became the major City in the area, Taposiris Magna took over as a religious festival site
Where: On the ancient Lake Mareotis which had a navigable arm, which was used in trade between Libya and Egypt. It is approx. 53km to the West of Alexandria
When: Built between 280-270BC. In use from 2nd Century BC to 7th Century AD
Who: Established by Pharaoh Ptolemy II
What remains: The Temple of Osiris which includes a Temple to Isis inside its walls, a Greco-Roman Necropolis, Lighthouse which is potentially a smaller funerary copy of the Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria, Roman Baths, Tunnels from the Second Battle of El Alamein during the Second World War
Current excavations by archaeologist Kathleen Martinez, are continuing at and around the Temple site for further Tombs. Hampered by short Digging Permits and the forever rising Water Table the finds so far have given strong indications that there are persons of high importance from Cleopatra’s time buried here. If not Cleopatra and Mark Antony themselves
