Throughout history, there have been great men and women who have made their mark. They were revered at the time and today for their contributions to their societies and their status. After their passing, they were buried in tombs which we can only imagine were elaborate given the standing of these famous individuals. Over time, the tombs and graves have been lost and today, have never been found. Their bodies continue to rest in peace. Let’s look at some of the famous historical figures whose tombs have not been located.

1. Alexander the Great 

Alexander III of Macedon, also known as Alexander the Great, succeeded his father and became king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia at the age of twenty. This great king died mysteriously when he was only thirty-two-years old. This was after twelve days of excruciating pain. Alexander passed away in Babylon and was first buried in Memphis and was later reburied in Alexandria. Many historians and archaeologists have searched for years for his tomb but they have been fruitless. The exact location of the tomb of Alexander the Great is an enduring mystery.

2. Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was born in Mongolia in 1162. He was the founder of the Mongol empire, the largest connected land empire in history. This empire had a long lasting impact on many civilizations. Before his death in 1227, he asked to be buried in secret. After his burial his soldiers rode 1000 horses over his grave in order to destroy any trace. To date, Genghis Khan’s tomb has not been discovered although many have searched. There has been much speculation regarding his burial place but many believe that it is located in the vicinity of the Mongol sacred mountain of Burkan Khaldun.

3. Cleopatra

One of the most well-known historical personalities from ancient Egypt is Cleopatra who ruled Ptolemaic Egypt between 51 to 30 BC. The tomb of Cleopatra, which has been lost for more than 2000 years, has been a source of intrigue to both archaeologists and the general public. Some believe that her tomb can be found at Taposiris Magna, a site near west of Alexandria. However, some scholars disagree with this thought and believe that Cleopatra was buried in Alexandria in an area that is currently under water. It is believed by some that Cleopatra and her partner, Mark Anthony, were buried together.

4. Wolfgang Mozart

Wolfgang Mozart was a prolific composer known for creating a string of operas, concertos, sonatas and symphonies. His work greatly influenced classical music. He passed away at the age of thirty-five. His body was not interred in an aristocratic room which one would expect for such a great man, but rather in a normal citizen’s grave. He was buried alongside other people in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Vienna. There was no headstone identifying it and as such, people have lost track of where his grave was located.

5. Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake, born in 1540, was an English explorer, sea captain, naval officer and politician among other things. He passed away at fifty-five years old. He was regarded by many as one of Queen Elizabeth 1’s Favorite privateers, especially in the light of the impressive feats he undertook. Sir Francis Drake did not have a traditional burial. He requested to be buried at sea close to Portobello while fully armored and inside the coffin lined with lead. Several divers have searched for his coffin but to no avail. Sir Francis Drake‘s final resting place continues to be an enigma.