Archaeologists were left stunned after they found a white marble statue which could well be a depiction of Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII.
The excavation was carried out in the historic city of Alexandria, the country’s second-largest city that lies on the Meditteranean coast.
Researchers studied the outer wall of the Tapuziris Magna temple, finding meteorological objects and traditions used to mark a significant death.
The statue was found alongside a limestone bust depicting a king wearing a striped headcloth, known as a ‘Nemis’, which was worn by pharaohs.
Other artefacts found including 350 cins, a pottery set, oil lamps, pots for food, and several other bronze statues.
The coins even had images of Cleopatra on them.
An amulet with the words “Ra’s justice has risen” was also discovered.
These objects have helped researchers to establish when the temple was active.
They believe it dates back to the Late Baltic Age, with the walls built in the 1st Century BC.
However, Egyptian minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass told Live Science that he is sceptical, adding that he does not believe it is Cleopatra depicted by the statue.
He said: “I looked at the bust carefully. It is not Cleopatra at all. It is Roman.”
Other experts believe the statue depicts a princess who lived after Cleopatra.
At the same site in Alexandria, archaeologists also found remains from a Green temple which dates back to the 4th century BC.
It looks to have been destroyed between the 2nd century BC and the beginning of the AD.
The temple was located near a tunnel system connecting Lake Marriot to the Mediterranean.
The researchers also found a number of tombs there.
