15 Ancient Tombs That Vanished From History

Here's a list of 15 ancient tombs that once held the remains of rulers, warriors, and queens but have since vanished without a trace.

Alyana Aguja
November 17, 2025
6 min read

15 Ancient Tombs That Vanished From History — runo van der Kraan from Unsplash

Throughout history, the tombs of the mighty have symbolized both mortality and mystery. Many of these grand resting places, from Alexander the Great’s lost mausoleum to the hidden grave of Genghis Khan, disappeared through time, destruction, or deliberate concealment. Their loss has left archaeologists searching deserts, rivers, and ruins for whispers of forgotten glory.

1. 1. The Tomb of Alexander the Great

After Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BCE, his body was placed in a magnificent tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. For centuries, visitors claimed to have seen the grand mausoleum, but it mysteriously vanished from historical record around the 4th century CE. Wars, earthquakes, and urban expansion likely destroyed or buried it beneath the modern city.

2. 2. The Tomb of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony

The resting place of Egypt’s last pharaoh, Cleopatra, and her lover Mark Antony, remains one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world. Ancient texts suggest they were buried together after their suicides in 30 BCE, perhaps near Taposiris Magna. Despite excavations near Alexandria, no evidence of their tomb has surfaced. If found, it would be one of archaeology’s most important discoveries.

3. 3. The Tomb of Genghis Khan

Legend says Genghis Khan’s burial site in Mongolia was concealed to ensure eternal secrecy. According to folklore, those who buried him were killed, and a river was diverted over his grave to hide its location. No written record marks its place, and all efforts to locate it have failed. It remains hidden somewhere within the Mongolian steppe, shrouded in myth and reverence.

4. 4. The Tomb of Nefertiti

Queen Nefertiti, famed for her beauty and power, vanished from historical records late in her reign. Her tomb has never been identified, though some believe it lies hidden within the Valley of the Kings near Tutankhamun’s. Scans have hinted at possible secret chambers behind Tutankhamun’s walls, sparking renewed interest. No excavation has confirmed the resting place of Egypt’s most enigmatic queen.

5. 5. The Mausoleum of Cyrus the Younger

Cyrus the Younger, who challenged his brother Artaxerxes II for the Persian throne, died in battle in 401 BCE. Historical accounts mention he was buried with honor, but the location of his tomb remains unknown. It may have been in Babylon or Persia, but time has erased all evidence. Only the tomb of Cyrus the Great survives as a reminder of their once-mighty dynasty.

6. 6. The Tomb of Attila the Hun

Attila the Hun, known as the “Scourge of God,” was buried in secrecy in 453 CE. His men reportedly entombed him in triple coffins of gold, silver, and iron before killing the laborers to keep it secret. The burial was said to be under a river that was temporarily diverted. To this day, his tomb has never been found, leaving historians to speculate endlessly about its riches.

7. 7. The Tomb of Emperor Jing of Han’s Consort

The consort of Emperor Jing of Han was buried in a grand tomb complex near Xi’an, China, but her exact burial chamber has vanished beneath centuries of shifting earth. Ancient records describe her resting place as filled with treasures and symbolic artifacts. Archaeologists have discovered neighboring tombs, yet hers remains elusive.

8. 8. The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang’s Architects

While the First Emperor’s terracotta army is world-famous, the tombs of the architects and artisans who built it were sealed away or lost. Historical records claim they were executed and buried near the emperor’s mausoleum to preserve its secrets. However, none of these secondary tombs have been conclusively located.

9. 9. The Tomb of Alaric I

The Visigoth king Alaric I, who sacked Rome in 410 CE, was buried beneath the Busento River in Italy. His men diverted the river’s flow to dig his grave and then restored it, concealing the tomb forever. The workers were executed to ensure secrecy, according to legend. Despite centuries of searching, the tomb and its treasures remain undiscovered beneath the riverbed.

10. 10. The Tomb of the First Pharaoh Narmer

Narmer, the unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt, founded the first dynasty around 3100 BCE. His tomb should have been monumental, but no structure definitively attributed to him has been found. Some archaeologists suggest fragments in Abydos or Hierakonpolis may relate to his burial, though none are certain. His missing tomb obscures the origins of Egyptian kingship itself.

11. 11. The Tomb of King Solomon

Biblical accounts describe King Solomon as buried in a royal necropolis in ancient Jerusalem. However, despite extensive excavations, the tomb has never been found. Earthquakes, conquests, and rebuilding likely obliterated or buried the site deep beneath the city. Its loss symbolizes the vanished grandeur of Israel’s ancient kingdom.

12. 12. The Tomb of Hamilcar Barca

Hamilcar Barca, father of the Carthaginian general Hannibal, was one of Carthage’s greatest commanders. After his death in battle around 228 BCE, he was believed to have been buried with high honor. The fall of Carthage to Rome and the city’s total destruction erased any trace of his tomb. It remains a lost monument to one of history’s most powerful families.

13. 13. The Tomb of Antiochus I of Commagene (Unfinished)

Antiochus I of Commagene built the famous sanctuary of Mount Nemrut, but evidence suggests a second tomb was begun elsewhere. This unfinished burial complex has never been located. Archaeologists theorize it may have been destroyed or abandoned mid-construction. Its disappearance adds a layer of mystery to the king’s legacy of divine ambition.

14. 14. The Tomb of the Shang Dynasty Kings

The early Shang dynasty rulers, who reigned over China more than 3,000 years ago, built massive royal tombs filled with treasures. However, many of these have been lost to floods, looting, and time. Excavations have uncovered later Shang graves, but the earliest royal burials remain missing. Their loss conceals the evolution of one of China’s first great civilizations.

15. 15. The Tomb of the Etruscan Kings of Veii

The Etruscan city of Veii, near Rome, once held royal tombs decorated with brilliant frescoes and filled with offerings. When the city fell to the Romans in 396 BCE, many of these tombs were looted or destroyed. Archaeologists have found lesser noble burials, but the kings’ resting places are gone. The missing tombs hold the untold story of Italy’s forgotten rulers before Rome’s rise.