Experts debate whether this bust depicts Cleopatra. Courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesArchaeologists searching for Cleopatras tomb have discovered a trove of coins, artifacts and a bust that they say depicts the famous queen at the ancient Egyptian city of Taposiris Magna. But others are not so sure.Kathleen Martinez, the lead archaeologist of the excavation, has been digging with her team at the site since 2005. She says the statue, which is made of white marble and small enough to fit in someones hand, portrays Cleopatra wearing a royal diadem.Cleopatra VII was the last ruler of Egypts Ptolemaic dynasty, a period of strength and cultural growth. She lived from 69 to 30 B.C.E. and is known for her political acumen, intelligence, and romantic and strategic relationships with powerful Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. According to lore, she took her own life at 39 after losing her kingdom when Octavian (later Augustus) defeated her forcesalthough the exact nature of her death remains uncertain. The team recovered multiple types of artifacts from the excavation. Courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesNot all experts agree with Martinez' conclusion. Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of tourism and antiquities not involved in the dig, says that the bust may date after Cleopatras time."I looked at the bust carefully. It is not Cleopatra at all; it is Roman," Hawass tells Live Sciences Owen Jarus. As Jarus explains, pharaohs were portrayed in Egyptian art styles during the Ptolemaic dynasty, not Roman. The Roman period in Egypt began in 30 B.C.E. after Cleopatra's death.Even the Egypts Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities adds that, It is more likely the statue represents another royal woman or princess, in a press release posted toFacebook.The bust was not the only royal statue that archaeologists discovered at the site. The team also unearthed a statue of a king wearing a headdress, as well as oil lamps, a bronze ring honoring the sky goddess Hathor, and an amulet dedicated to Ra the sun god, with the phrase "The justice of Ra has arisen."The artifacts were in close proximity to one another, lending credence to an earlier date put forward by Martinez. Ancient Egyptians often buried a collection of items, knownas foundation deposits,before they began to build important new structures. The team discovered a hoard of337 coins, some of which depict Cleopatra. Courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesIn all, the dig was quite successful in its yield. In addition to a newly unearthed necropolis at the temple, underwater excavations of submerged sections have uncovered human remains and a trove of pottery.The team also found a collection of 337 coinsmany of which more definitively depict Cleopatra.Harvard University classicistIrene Soto Marn tells Hyperallergics Isa Farfan that the image minted on the coins is an official portrait of Cleopatra; currency like thishelped cement the queens image throughout history.This is the most seen image of any emperor or any queen in antiquity, Marn says. The only place where a regular Joe Schmo would see that image of their ruler everyone saw coins.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Ancient Egypt, Archaeology, Artifacts, Coins, Egypt, Queens, Statues