Truth's out: Cleopatra was not a looker

NEWCASTLE, England, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Hollywood put glamorous faces on the royal couple of Antony and Cleopatra but British archaeologists have proof Cleopatra was no Elizabeth Taylor.

Based on a 2,000-year-old coin found in artifacts belonging to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, researchers say the Egyptian queen had a pointy chin, sharp nose and very thin lips, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Newcastle University's director of archaeological museums, Lindsay Allason-Jones, said there should be no surprise in finding an image that contradicts Hollywood's portrayal.

"The image on the coin is far from being that of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton," Allason-Jones said. "Roman writers tell us that Cleopatra was intelligent and charismatic and that she had a seductive voice but, tellingly, they do not mention her beauty."