The Lost Tomb of Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan ruled the largest land empire in history. Where he was buried has been kept secret for 800 years.
What was reported
Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire, died in 1227. According to tradition, he was buried in secret, perhaps near Burkhan Khaldun, a mountain in north-eastern Mongolia sacred to him, and the place was hidden: horses were said to have trampled the ground, and forests grew over it.
For centuries, the area was a forbidden zone, guarded and closed to outsiders. Expeditions in modern times have searched with satellites, drones and ground radar, including a project that asked thousands of volunteers to scan satellite images online.
Explanations offered
The tomb has never been found. Many Mongolians feel it should not be disturbed, out of respect for Genghis Khan's wishes, and the area around Burkhan Khaldun is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- When
- Lost since 1227
- Where
- Near Burkhan Khaldun, Khentii, Mongolia
- Witnesses
- Historians, archaeologists and searchers
- Status
- Unexplained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.