Genghis Khan's Tomb

**Genghis Khan's Tomb** is the 2nd episode in Season 2 of Expedition Unknown.

## Plot Synopsis

Gates researches the legends about Genghis Khan to get ready for his journey to search for his long-lost tomb. It is believed to be somewhere in Mongolia at what's known as the "forbidden zone" located on top of the "Holy Mountain" or Burkhan Khaldun, which is guarded by a local tribe and completely closed off to foreigners.

## Historical Context

"... but there is one man who may actually deserve to be called larger than life - Genghis Khan. Over his 21-year rule he conquers more territory than anyone in history. He travels further than Alexander the Great, lays waste to more cities than Caesar, and kills millions more than Stalin. His nomadic warriors ride like a wave of destruction across Asia, destroying empires and reshaping the map of the world behind them. You would think a man who lived so large would have built an enormous tomb, but Khan wanted exactly the opposite. He commanded his followers to not only bury him in an unmarked grave but to kill anyone who laid eyes on his funeral procession. Since his death in 1227, the location of Genghis Khan's tomb remains has been a complete and total unknown."

- Josh Gates

## Summary

Josh heads to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and to Nadaam, a festival that celebrates Genghis Khan with three events; wrestling, archery, and horseback riding. He then visits the Tsonjin Boldog Monument where he meets Dr Batsukh Otgonsereenen. The doctor believes Genghis is a hero because helped Asia flourish.

Josh meets with Dandii Dashsambuu, a guide, who helps navigate to an area near Karakorum. The weather turns bad and Josh's car friction coefficient hits zero. They're able to get back on the road and he explores Karokorum. From there, he and Dandii cross the Eg River on horses, where they meet with Mijiddorj Enkhbayar, an archaeologist. Mijiddorj is working at a dig site where they've found over 300 tombs from the Xiongnu era.

At the site, they open an ancient tomb where they find a 4,000-year-old skull. Mijiddorj has found satellite photos of a sacred mountain, Burkhan Khaldun, that was important to Khan. It has a squared site on top with looks like a temple. Mijiddorj has access to the mountain but outsiders, like Josh, do not. A colleague of Mijiddorj may be able to get Josh and they crew access, however.

They go to meet with Professor Endenebataar Diimaajav, who is famous in Mongolia for discovering Xiongnu treasure. Josh learns of the Darkhad Tribe, which received orders from Khan in the 13th century to guard the Forbidden Zone which they still do to this day. The Professor guides them to a checkpoint where he pleads their case to a member of the tribe who says he'll think about it overnight.

They are allowed to camp at the checkpoint for the night and in the morning are allowed into the Forbidden Zone, as long as the tribe member and his grandson are able to come. They drive most of the day and camp that night. The next morning, they get to the base of the mountain and take horses up the mountain to the midpoint where they find a small shrine. Since the mountain is sacred they can't excavate anything and are only able to search the ground with their eyes.

At the midpoint, they find part of a hidden brick wall and ceramic from a roof that dates back to the 16th century. This signifies that there may have been an important temple here at one point. Josh also finds an iron arrow point and spear point in a fallen tree. They found a bunch of other iron objects but return the artefacts to where they found them and move onto the summit.

However, there is a huge storm coming their way and they have a helicopter take them to the summit. They see an artificial formation at the peak which they take photos of from the helicopter. They head back down and receive the scans of the summit from Ulaanbatarr saying that the structure is likely manmade.

## Final Words

"The journey to find Khan's tomb has quite literally been an uphill battle. I've had to struggle against many elements here in Mongolia but have been rewarded at every turn. The people here awe me with their hospitality and their resilience, to not only survive but to thrive on these harsh plains. And since the people of Mongolia continue to honour and protect their past, excavation of the mountain is impossible - meaning Genghis Khan could get his dying wish - to remain hidden for all of eternity."

- Josh Gates

## Notes & Trivia

* In Mongolia, Genghis is spelt and pronounced Chinggis.
* One in 200 men alive today is a direct descendant of Genghis Khan.
* A month after Josh's expedition UNESCO declared the Forbidden Zone a protected heritage site.

## Quotes

* "The first guy who opens a 7-Eleven out here is gonna make a fortune."
* "After a few minutes, our dirt road looks more like a Mongolian monster truck course."
* "Mongolians do not screw around when it comes to camping. In the time it takes me to unroll my sleeping bag they've put a tent up that's nicer than my first apartment."
* "Forget your fancy store-bought REI three-season tent. Mongolian tents have a working fireplace."
* "I'm milking a horse!"

## References

1. ↑ https://discovery.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/discovery/go/shows/e/expedition-unknown/200/genghis-khans-tomb.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.347.suffix/1560975922938.jpeg