National Geographic Live: The Search for Genghis Khan

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Mike Hennig מייק הניג

Where’s Genghis? National Geographic Live’s “The Search for Genghis Khan” features the work of Dr. Albert Yu-Min Lin, who has developed computer-based technologies to make archaeological discoveries without disturbing soil or grass. Many Mongolians consider the tomb of Genghis Khan to be sacred, and this non-invasive technique opens up new worlds for explorers.

press release: Dr. Albert Yu-Min Lin’s explorations are groundbreaking, because they never break ground. He uses noninvasive computer based technologies to gather, synthesize, and visualize data without disturbing a blade of grass. Overture Center welcomes National Geographic Live – The Search for Genghis Khan to Capitol Theater on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.

“Exploration has always been about going where we haven’t been able to go before,” Lin notes. “Environmental, cultural, or political obstacles may have prevented us from exploring certain places. Today technology helps us navigate past those old barriers.” For Lin, cutting-edge tools such as satellite imagery, ground-penetrating radar, and remote sensors permit him to make archaeological discoveries while respecting the traditional beliefs of indigenous people. The search for the tomb of Genghis Khan is a quest that has eluded scientists and historians for centuries.

Many Mongolians consider the tomb an extremely sacred place and believe any desecration of it could trigger a curse that would end the world. “Using traditional archeological methods would be disrespectful to believers," Lin says. "The ability to explore in a noninvasive way lets us try to solve this ancient secret without overstepping cultural barriers. It also allows us to empower Mongolian researchers with tools they might not have access to otherwise. Today’s world still benefits from Genghis Kahn’s ability to connect East with West. He forged international relations that have never been broken. By locating his tomb, we hope to emphasize how important it is for the world to protect such cultural heritage treasures.”

The goal of this effort, to enable international protection of a sacred region of Mongolia through non-destructive investigation, earned Lin recognition as National Geographic Adventure’s "2010 Readers Choice Adventurer of the Year", the Lowell Thomas Medal for Exploration from the renowned New York based Explorers Club, and became the youngest recipient of the DRI Nevada Medal for Science Education.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at overturecenter.org, in person at the ticket office or by phone at 608.258.4141. Discounted tickets for groups of ten or more are available by calling 608.258.4159.

Overture Center’s National Geographic Live Series is sponsored by Exact Sciences.