Over the course of history there have been numerous historical figures whose final resting places have somehow eluded the rest of society. With all of the high tech tools available at our disposal, these discoveries and the buried secrets that they contain somehow still evade our grasp. We’ll take a look at some of the most prominent figures whose resting places are still largely unknown.
1. Cleopatra (69–30 BCE)
Cleopatra was the last queen of Egypt. She famously died alongside Mark Antony. The ancient texts that we do possess put together quite the compelling narrative that they were actually buried together in a decadent tomb. However, the location remains unknown.
2. Genghis Khan (1162–1227)
Genghis Khan was the founder of the Mongol Empire. The records suggest that Khan requested that he be buried in an unmarked grave to ensure its location was kept secret. The truly terrifying legend goes that thousands of people were killed in the process of trying to protect it.
3. Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE)
The tomb of Alexander the Great was originally claimed to be in Alexandria. Then it went and disappeared centuries ago, with its location remaining unknown and thus one of history’s most compelling mysteries.
4. Amelia Earhart (1897–1937)
Amelia Earhart was a famous aviator who ended up disappearing over the Pacific Ocean amidst her legendary attempt to fly around the world. While the theories run amok, no actual definite remains have yet to be discovered.
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
This iconic composer was actually buried in a common grave in Vienna. This was generally customary when accounting for his social status. However, somehow the exact site of his burial remains lost altogether.
6. Attila the Hun (c. 406–453)
Following his death, Attila the Hun’s body was allegedly buried in a triple-layered coffin, and then his grave was stowed away by the riverbed of a diverted river. Something occurred though because now the location is entirely unknown.
7. Queen Nefertiti (c. 1370–1330 BCE)
The queen of Egypt and wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten somehow vanished altogether from historical records. Her tomb has never been conclusively identified.
8. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)
Even though Leonardo da Vinci was buried in a French chapel, his remains were reportedly relocated or significantly damaged during the French Revolution. The location of his grave is still fiercely debated over to this day.
9. Boudica (d.c. 60 CE)
Boudica, the warrior queen was responsible for leading a revolt against Roman rule in Britain. It’s believed that she perished in battle or even by poison, while her actual burial site is still unknown.
10. Christopher Columbus (1451–1506)
Christopher Columbus was one of those historical figures who was buried in numerous locations that included Spain and the Dominican Republic. However, the precise location of his true remains is still argued over.
11. Harold II (c. 1022–1066)
Harold II was the last ever Anglo-Saxon King of England. Harold was ultimately killed at the Battle of Hastings. His body though never ended up being incontestably identified, and thus his burial site is still basked in uncertainty.
12. King Arthur
Even though many would contest that King Arthur is really more of a myth than a historical figure rooted in reality, King Arthur’s alleged resting place somewhere at Avalon is still enough of a mysterious theory to send people’s imaginations running wild.
13. Thomas Paine (1737–1809)
Thomas Paine was reportedly exhumed and taken to England by a sole, deeply committed follower. However, his remains have since disappeared.
14. Hannibal Barca (247–183 BCE)
Hannibal Barca was the Carthaginian general who infamously crossed the Alps with elephants. It’s believed by historians that he died by poison, while the site of his burial is still not verified to this day.
15. Jimmy Hoffa (1913–1975)
Jimmy Hoffa, the American labor union leader ended up disappearing in 1975. His suspected murder has contributed to a seemingly endless number of theories about where his remains could remain hidden.
