Imagine a tomb so secret its location has been lost for centuries. This is the story of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, and the ongoing hunt for his hidden burial place.
Genghis Khan, initially named Temüjin, is one of the most influential figures in history. He united the nomadic tribes of Mongolia and conquered most of the Asia and parts of Europe, and creating the largest contiguous land empire in history. He is revered by many as a visionary leader, a military genius, and a cultural hero. But despite his vast empire and influence, his grave remains unmarked and undiscovered.
To keep Genghis Khan’s burial a secret, all 2,000+ people who attended his funeral were executed. The executioners were then killed by members of his escort, who took their own lives when they reached their destination. The site still remains undiscovered to this day. PIC.TWITTER.COM/SIIJPRSVJC
— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) FEBRUARY 26, 2024
Why is that? According to some sources, Genghis Khan desired a humble, anonymous burial. He supposedly said, “Let my body die but let my nation live,” reflecting his wish for a simple burial that would not attract attention or disturb his spirit. He also wanted to avoid potential conflicts over his succession or wealth.
But how did he achieve such a feat? According to legend, Genghis Khan’s body was returned to Mongolia after he died in 1227. A well-known story says that soldiers killed 2,000 enslaved people who went to his funeral. Another group of dead soldiers those soldiers and then killed themselves.
Where did they bury him? It is generally believed that Genghis Khan’s burial site is near the sacred Mongol mountain of Burkhan Khaldun in the Khentii Mountains, about 250 kilometers northeast of Ulaanbaatar. Early in his life, Genghis Khan desired to be buried at this location, saying during a hunting trip,
“What a beautiful view. Bury me here when I die”.
But how did they conceal the grave? Various legends suggest efforts were made to hide the grave from intruders or treasure hunters. Some say a river was diverted over his grave, while others suggest many horses stampeded over the grave, and trees were planted over the site. Some even claim that the entire burial party was executed to ensure their silence.
Despite these legends and ongoing research, the exact location of Genghis Khan’s burial site remains a mystery. Many expeditions have been launched to find it, but none have succeeded. Some have been hindered by political, religious, or environmental obstacles, while others have been discouraged by the local people who consider the site sacred and taboo. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in Inner Mongolia is a monument to him but not his burial site.
Will the final resting place of the Mongol leader ever be found? Or will it remain a historical enigma, forever shrouded in mystery?
