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"True Tomb" of Ancient Mongolia Founder Discovered
Chinese archeologists in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region recently discovered what they believe is the tomb of Genghis Khan, who founded ancient Mongolia and whose grandson Kublai Khan established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
The tomb is located in Qinghe County in northern Xinjiang. For years archeologists have theorized the body of Genghis Khan was buried at a place in Mount. Altay. The tomb is flanked by two lakes, which are connected with a man-made canal.
"This is the real tomb of Genghis Khan. The tomb at the Gandeli steppe in southwestern Inner Mongolia was not the burial ground of this ancient Mongol ruler," said Zhang Hui, a research fellow at the Xinjiang Museum.
The Mongolian strategist died of illness in 1227 at Liupanshan, in today's Gansu province, and was buried in secret by his generals according to Mongol tradition in his hometown. Mongol studies specialists around the world have never agreed on where he was buried.
About 400 meters away from the newly-found grave stands a 20-meter-high tomb with a diameter of 78 meters. A number of Chinese historians and archeologists inferred it was the tomb of one of Genghis Khan's grandsons.
According to historical records, Genghis Khan came to Altay with his troops on six occasions. Still in existence are the ruins of a four-lane road for his troops and army tents.
Whether this is the real tomb of Genghis Khan needs further investigation, Zhang Hui said.
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