<p>Timur Tamerlane was a Central Asian Turkic-Mongolian military leader and conqueror who played a significant role in the history of Central, Southern, and Western Asia, as well as the Caucasus, Volga region, and Rus.</p>
<p>According to legend, there was a prophecy that if Tamerlane's ashes were disturbed, war would begin. Archaeological research of the tomb started in June 1941. Three days after anthropologist M. Gerasimov opened the fragrant sarcophagus (the ruler's body was anointed with Indian perfumes), Germany invaded the Soviet Union.</p>
