In 1941, a group of Soviet scientists conducted archaeological excavations in Tamerlane’s mausoleum. A day later, the Great Patriotic War broke out. Having compared the two events, the frightened participants of the tomb opening hastened to correct what had been done.
The great commander died during another military campaign. At the head of the army, the number of which was about 200 thousand people, Tamerlane went to conquer China. But the warrior died not in battle. On the way he suddenly fell ill and died.
The Iron Hammer was buried in the mausoleum Gur-Emir in Samarkand, the capital of the Timurid Empire. Later, his children and grandchildren found a place in the luxurious tomb. Many scientists wanted to excavate Tamerlane’s mausoleum. Academician Mikhail Masson, who was in charge of the Samarkand Regional Museum, can be considered a pioneer.
He submitted an official petition for excavations in the tomb, but in 1926 he received a refusal. The Soviet authorities did not allow to open the tomb of the commander. However, by 1941 it was still possible to obtain permission for excavations. True, in fact, everything turned out to be not so simple.
At first, the actions of archaeologists tried to prevent local residents, who were sure — the curiosity of scientists will lead to many troubles. On June 16 in tomb of the ruler the stream of water from the burst pipe on building of hotel “Intourist” has rushed. June 20 unexpectedly broke winch, which was to lift the slab that closed the sarcophagus. But the persistence of the researchers prevailed.
Despite all the difficulties, they managed to open the coffin on June 21. First, the specialists were “intoxicated” by the strong smell of aromatic substances, which somehow managed to survive. Then archaeologists were surprised by the remains of Tamerlan. It turned out that Timur had red hair, and he himself is tall. Also scientists found little in common with other representatives of the Mongoloid race. His external features corresponded more to Indo-Europeans.
Exactly 24 hours after the opening of the tomb, Germany attacked the Soviet Union. The prophecies, which were repeatedly reminded of by the locals, came to mind: “Whoever opens Tamerlane’s tomb will release the spirit of war. And there will be a massacre so bloody and terrible that the world has never seen forever…”. Then the most superstitious members of the expedition decided to refuse further participation in such a dubious endeavor.
Events at the front forced them to seek permission from Joseph Stalin himself to rebury Tamerlane’s remains in compliance with all the necessary Muslim rites. In this they saw salvation for the country. It happened in November 1942. Soon the offensive of the Nazi invaders at Stalingrad was stopped.
Coincidence? To the scientists who participated in the opening of the tomb, it no longer seemed so….