Egypt Tourism

Siwa

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In what could prove to be one of the great archaeological finds of all time, a Greek archaeologist believes she may have found the tomb of Alexander the Great in Siwa oasis.
Locating the tomb of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian conqueror, has been the elusive dream of many an archaeologist.

More than 100 separate searches have been carried out over the past century and all have proved futile. Early 1995, Greek archaeologist Liana Sovaltzi found what she believes is unquestionable proof that Alexander was buried near Siwa oasis in Egypt's Western Desert. Yet many experts remain unconvinced.

Alexander maintained a sentimental affinity with Siwa after he consulted the sacred oracle of the God Amun, who reputedly promised him vast conquests. But the widespread belief, backed by texts of ancient Greek historians, is that Alexander was buried in Alexandria, the city which he founded some 2,300 years ago and which bears his name.

Alexandria wrested control of Egypt from the Persians in 332 BC, and then proceeded to the ancient capital Memphis, where he presented offerings to the sacred bull god, Apis, and was crowned pharaoh. He then turned downstream, following the Canopic branch of the Nile, until he reached the Mediterranean coast where he founded Alexandria near a village called Rhacotis.

After visiting Siwa oasis where he received assurance from the oracle that he was Amun's son, and legal heir to the Pharaohs, he returned to Memphis.

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