“However, some of us love the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake and require no such justifications.”
The pursuit of knowledge is one thing. Obsessing over the ancient world’s greatest US Weekly sort of celebrity couple is another.
I understand why King Tut was important. It was important to find an untouched tomb, so that we could learn about how Egyptian kings lived, not simply where they were buried. Finding Cleopatra, on the other hand, would be more about her in particular than anything so general as what Tut taught us.
Plus, there’s much more of a morbid fascination at the heart of this. We’re far too interested in the way they died, as opposed to how they lived.
But you’ve put your finger on it exactly: Antony and Cleopatra a really a celebrity couple. More star status = more tourist dollars.
Personally, I’m interested in the exploration/excavation for its own sake, but if these people really have found Cleopatra’s tomb it’s going to be another cash cow for the Egyptian government. It’s not “obsessing,” it’s pragmatism.
Anyway, your tax dollars aren’t being used, so what the heck.