Posted on 12/04/2012 11:51:09 AM PST by Theoria
For centuries historians and treasure seekers have searched for the burial site of history's most famous conqueror. New findings offer compelling evidence that it's been found.
In the eight hundred years since his death, people have sought in vain for the grave of Genhis Khan, the 13th-century conqueror and imperial ruler who, at the time of his death, occupied the largest contiguous empire, stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Pacific. In capturing most of central Asia and China, his armies killed and pillaged but also forged new links between East and West. One of history’s most brilliant and ruthless leaders, Khan remade the world.
But while the life of the conqueror is the stuff of legend, his death is shrouded in the mist of myths. Some historians believe he died from wounds sustained in battle; others that he fell off his horse or died from illness. And his final burial place has never been found. At the time great steps were taken to hide the grave to protect it from potential grave robbers. Tomb hunters have little to go on, given the dearth of primary historical sources. Legend has it that Khan’s funeral escort killed anyone who crossed their path to conceal where the conqueror was buried. Those who constructed the funeral tomb were also killed—as were the soldiers who killed them. One historical source holds that 10,000 horsemen “trampled the ground so as to make it even”; another that a forest was planted over the site, a river diverted.
Scholars still debate the balance between fact and fiction, as accounts were forged and distorted. But many historians believe that Khan wasn’t buried alone: his successors are thought to have been entombed with him in a vast necropolis, possibly containing treasures and loot from his extensive conquests.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
I guess you CAN take it with you
It’s good to be the king!
I guess you CAN take it with you
It’s good to be the king!
If all who worked on the grave site were killed to keep it secret, there should be a huge mass grave somewhere close...(well, likely within a day’s journey).
Long but really well-written, informative article. Makes me want to learn more about Genghis Khan.
Perhaps John Kerry can find it; he is an expert on Genghis Khan, don’t ya know.
Maybe they will find Jimmy Hoffa!
Never fear Jerry Rivera is on the case.
“Genghis Khan is known as Chinggis Khaan “
Hmmmm. How did kerry pronounce it?
ROFLMAO! I was thinking the exact same thing. John F-ing Kerry should be an expert.
Ping
I read a brisk and fascinating biography of G. Kahn six or eight years ago—the guy was a genius, a deadly merciless genius, but a genius and a titan among leaders nonetheless.
I just did some looking and I think it was the bio “Genghis Kahn and the Making of the Modern World,” by Jack Weatherford.
“the guy was a genius, a deadly merciless genius, but a genius and a titan among leaders nonetheless.”
Yes, I agree with your assessment but he made one, small mistake. He let the women and children live so that they could breed more evil. Had he done it correctly, we wouldn’t have this Muslim problem today because all of them would have been killed by him and his armies.
You are right. Too many in the West are quick to simply label him as a savage when in reality he was the best combination of bad ass and intellect that ever lived. He also had a knack for picking out others who shared his same leadership abilities. (e.g. Generals like Subedai).
My recollection was that they killed everyone, including children, who didn’t have another good use—in other words many of the females.
I watched about three minutes of a History Channel biography the other night and they made the point (as did Weatherford) that the Mongol genes are evident virtually everywhere in the world now because of the, ah, fecundity of Genghis and his crew.
One of the things I recall from the book is how he would pull up his army outside the walls of each city he arrived at.
A message would be sent forth, affixed to an arrow, spear, some sort of projectile, informing the inhabitants that they must immediately pay Genghis a substantial tribute, in gold and other valuables, and also a substantial tax from this day forward, which would guarantee them his allegiance and protection.
The cities would usually send some poor messenger out with a missive that said, Sorry, we’re not going to pay you anything, but you are welcome to come in for coffee and pie.
The Mongols would then affix a note to the messenger and catapult HIM inside the walls, the note reading: Prepare All To Die.
Genghis Khan’s tomb? No thank you, I’m still recovering from what they found in Al Capone’s vault.
Check out Dan Carlin’s Hard Core History podcast. Very interesting and learned a lot about Genhis. http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hh
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