Ancient Harbor Linked to Cleopatra's Temple Found Near Taposiris Magna
Egyptian archaeologists unearth a harbor connected to the Cleopatra-era temple at Taposiris Magna, offering new insight into ancient maritime networks
An ancient harbor connected to a temple associated with Cleopatra VII was uncovered by Egyptian archaeologists, a discovery that points to a maritime hub once linked to the Mediterranean. The find is at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, about 30 miles west of Alexandria, with the harbor complex lying roughly 4 kilometers from the present coastline and protected by coral reefs.
Archaeologists recovered stone and metal anchors of various sizes and large numbers of amphorae dating to the Ptolemaic period, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Officials said the harbor was connected to the temple and directly linked to the Mediterranean Sea. The discovery was announced on Sept. 18 by the ministry, which translated the Arabic statement for English audiences. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, called the harbor a “significant scientific contribution to Egyptian maritime archaeology, especially since no ancient sources had previously mentioned it.” Research also showed that the ancient shoreline lay about 4 kilometers from today’s coast.
The harbor’s proximity to Taposiris Magna adds a new dimension to the temple complex, which sits in a region where the cults of Osiris and Isis were prominent. The temple, built in the Ptolemaic era, dates to the 3rd century B.C. but remained in use into Cleopatra’s era. The era’s endorsement of Isis and Osiris and artifacts attributed to Cleopatra’s rule have been found at the site, underscoring the long-standing religious and economic networks centered on this port city.
Last year’s excavations at the site yielded foundation deposits and a variety of artifacts, including funerary and ritual objects. Earlier finds included 337 coins—many depicting Cleopatra—along with oil lamps, an amulet, and vessels used for storing food and cosmetics. The ministry noted that the temple walls were constructed in the 1st century B.C., while remains of an earlier Greek temple from the 4th century B.C. showed signs of destruction between the 2nd century B.C. and the start of the Roman era.
The harbor discovery is one of several recent archaeological achievements across Egypt. In Tell el-Fara’in, researchers uncovered multistory buildings from a lost Egyptian city, highlighting advances in mapping ancient urban networks. In August, archaeologists in Kharga Oasis, roughly 350 miles southwest of Cairo, found two churches and a mural of Jesus, illustrating the breadth of Egypt’s ongoing archaeological record.
The new harbor find complements a broader effort to understand maritime activity in ancient Egypt and its role in religious and political life. Officials say the discovery not only sheds light on economic structures of the era but also reinforces Egypt’s historical status as a global maritime hub for thousands of years. The work continues as researchers refine dating, layout, and connections to surrounding temple activities, offering a more nuanced view of how port cities functioned at the edge of the Mediterranean.
The breadth of recent finds across Egypt — from maritime harbors to inland sanctuaries and urban centers — underscores the region’s long and complex history of exchange, religion, and daily life. As researchers integrate underwater and on-land evidence, they aim to construct a fuller picture of how ancient Egyptians navigated, traded, and worshipped at the fringes of their known world.