Nightmares of forgotten graveyards. The most terrible cemeteries and graves - photos, real stories, legends, beliefs Photos from excavations of ancient cemeteries

At all times people have treated cemeteries with mystical awe. This was especially true for opening graves. It is believed that disturbing the peace of the deceased will have very unpleasant consequences.

Archaeologists who, by the nature of their work, deal with burials, often have to deal with such phenomena.

Strange things often happen at excavations. For example, the dreams of archaeologists there are often prophetic. There is a legend that the famous German businessman and amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who found ancient Troy on the Hissarlik hill, saw a bearded king (apparently the ruler of Troy, Priam) in a dream, who explained where exactly the royal treasury was hidden.

Gaston Maspero, who excavated in the 19th century. There are many tombs in the Valley of the Kings, he admitted that he made many of his discoveries under the guidance of the ancient Egyptians who dreamed of him. And the archaeologists who excavated Çatalhöyük saw dreams about people with faces painted with ocher and about the bulls that these people worshiped.

Dreams not only provide hints, but also warn archaeologists. A memorable incident occurred in Egypt with the same Maspero, who was ordered by a priest who appeared in a dream to stop work. The scientist did not heed the warning, and in the following days, poisonous snakes bit several of his employees. As a result, four died.

Two archaeologists saw a similar warning dream on the same night during excavations in the Urals in the late 70s of the 20th century. And the next morning a tragedy occurred: the embankment under which work was being carried out collapsed, burying an entire brigade at once.

In excavations of ancient cemeteries, the sounds of footsteps and muttering voices are often heard with no visible signs of the presence of the person making them. This phenomenon has been known since ancient times. Such places in ancient times were considered holy, and if words could be made out in the indistinct muttering, they were perceived as prophecies. This is how the famous Delphic oracle appeared in Greece.

Among the ancient Slavs, muttering voices foreshadowed someone's imminent death and indicated the presence of evil spirits. There was a case in Ukraine when a similar voice sounded after opening one of the graves and did not subside until the grave was buried again. At excavations in the Volga region, strange voices at dawn uttered individual words in an incomprehensible language. Later it turned out that these are words from the ancient language of the Volga Bulgars.

At the excavation of a pagan temple in the Novgorod region, in clear, windless weather, a local air movement arose, similar to a tornado, as if some large invisible creature was rushing back and forth among the members of the expedition. This incident was confirmed by several dozen witnesses.

And during the excavations of an ancient temple in Altai, such air gusts were so strong that they knocked over people and heavy objects taken from the graves.

Sometimes archaeologists are attacked by unreasonable fear or delusions of persecution. In the 1970s, a group of archaeologists near the ancient Alan burial grounds in the North Caucasus was suddenly seized with such horror that they, abandoning everything, climbed into the trees and sat there until the morning. With dawn, the feeling of anxiety decreased, but the work still had to be curtailed soon due to the deteriorating mental state of the expedition members.

Anomalous incidents during excavations include moments of short-term memory loss. During a conversation, the man suddenly fell silent and began to look around in bewilderment. When questioned, it turned out that he did not remember anything that happened to him in the last 5-30 minutes or even several hours. According to some reports, causeless retrograde amnesia often occurred among workers who carried out excavations in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings.

All archaeologists know that burials should be treated with respect. In the mid-90s, an expedition to Altai excavating Scythian burial mounds included a graduate student who, despite the comments of his senior comrades, could juggle the human bones found or dress up the skeletons in jester outfits. One day, having stumbled, as they say, out of the blue, he fell into a deep excavation and injured his spine, so much so that he remained disabled forever.

The most famous case of such revenge of the dead is the curse of Tutankhamun.

The tomb of this young pharaoh was discovered in 1922 by an English expedition led by Egyptologist Howard Carter and amateur archaeologist Lord Carnarvon.

The golden sarcophagus of Tutankhamun stood among countless treasures, and above it was supposedly carved the inscription: “Death will not be slow to overshadow with its wings anyone who enters this sacred tomb.”

Whether the inscription actually existed or not, less than two months had passed when Lord Carnarvon suddenly died. According to one version, death occurred from pneumonia, according to another - from a mosquito bite, according to the third - from blood poisoning.

His friend George Gold hurried to the Valley of the Kings and carefully examined the tomb, hoping to find some explanation for the tragedy, but by nightfall he himself suddenly developed a fever, and by the evening of the next day he also died.

The tabloid press immediately spread the news about the curse of the pharaoh, which overtakes everyone involved in one way or another in the desecration of the ancient grave. Over the following years, 22 people who were present at the opening of the tomb or studied it afterward became victims of the curse, including Carnarvon's widow and Carter's secretary.

True, Howard Carter himself, who was the first to step into the ill-fated tomb, lived for a long time. However, the same inscriptions were found in other tombs of the pharaohs. True, almost all of them had been empty for many centuries when archaeologists arrived, and we do not know the fate of the ancient robbers...

In the last refuge of a person there is something mystical and at the same time creepy, exciting curiosity and imagination. We have collected 15 of the most incredible cemeteries from around the world, where tourists who want to plunge into the atmosphere of horror films in real life flock to.

Old Jewish Cemetery (Prague, Czech Republic)

The old Jewish cemetery in the Josefov quarter in Prague dates back to the early 15th century. The oldest tombstone found dates back to 1439, and the latest to 1787. The exact number of gravestones and buried people is unknown, since in this cemetery burials were made in layers, on top of each other. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Jews are buried in the cemetery, but there are only 12,000 visible headstones. It's not surprising that many people see ghosts passing through tightly packed tombstones.

Paris Catacombs (Paris, France)

The Catacombs of Paris are a huge underground crypt under the capital of France. The network of caves and tunnels stretches for almost 300 km, and the remains of about six million people are buried in them. There are many stories about the creepy catacombs, which are literally covered with skulls and bones.

Allegedly, paranormal phenomena occur here all the time. Sometimes ghostly balls or ectoplasmic mist float in front of tourists, and sometimes even the shadows of ghosts wander along the corridors among piles of bones.

La Recoleta (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

The Recoleta Cemetery, which is located in the Recoleta district of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, is a major tourist attraction due to its outstanding examples of 19th and 20th century architecture. There is a story associated with this cemetery about the “Lady in White” who often visits the graves at night.

Valley of the Kings (Cairo, Egypt)

The Valley of the Kings, which contains the tombs of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, became famous after the discovery of the unrobbed tomb of Tutankhamun and the “curse of the pharaohs” associated with it. Almost everyone who took part in the opening of the grave died mysteriously several years later.

Capuchin Crypt (Rome, Italy)

The bones of four thousand Franciscan Capuchin monks were used to decorate the walls of this crypt. Human bones were also used to create the interior of various chapels. For example, there are chapels called "Pelvis Crypt" and "Skull Crypt".

Bachelor's Grove (Chicago, USA)

Known as one of the most haunted sites in the United States, Bachelor's Grove Cemetery in Chicago opened in 1844. Stories about ghosts in this cemetery were especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s. There were stories of strange balls, phantom machines, and even a ghostly house that suddenly appeared before people and then disappeared into thin air. In 1984, witnesses also reported seeing several ghostly figures throughout the cemetery, dressed in monk robes.

Ganges River (Varanasi, India)

Due to its proximity to the Ganges, Varanasi is one of the holiest cities of Hindus in India. This city is famous for the fact that it is customary to burn corpses on the banks of the Ganges and then simply throw them into the river. Every day fires burn on the banks, and the Ganges is polluted by myriads of bacteria. Incredibly, people bathe and wash their clothes in the river while half-burnt remains float by.

Stull Cemetery, Kansas

The burial place, which is also called the “Gates of Hell”, according to legend is one of the seven portals of Hell on Earth. Legend has it that if you knock on a stone in the ruins of a church, the devil himself will answer.

Capela DOS Ossos (Portugal)

In the chapel, whose name literally means "Chapel of Bones", two skeletons are hanging on the wall, chained. At the same time, the walls are also covered with real skulls and human bones.

Witch Cemetery State (Tennessee, USA)

The cemetery, located in the Tennessee backcountry, is one of the oldest in the state. Stone tombstones are often engraved with pentagrams, which are said to contain witch powers. There are also numerous claims of strange lights being seen in the forest at night, as well as ghostly animals that were sacrificed during rituals in the cemetery.

Cemetery La Noria (La Noria, Chile)

La Noria is an abandoned mining town with a frightening history full of violence and slavery. The cemetery of this city is a terrible and incredible sight. Many graves have been uncovered. There are chilling rumors that at sunset the dead rise from their graves and begin to wander the abandoned mining town. Residents of Chile also reported seeing children in abandoned schools as if they were sitting in a regular lesson.

Sedlec Ossuary (Kutná Hora, Czech Republic)

In Sedlec, a suburb of the Czech town of Kutná Hora, there is a small Roman Catholic chapel near the cemetery church of All Saints. This crypt is estimated to contain the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people, whose bones were used to create decorations and furniture for the chapel.

Chamula Cemetery (San Juan Chamula, Mexico)

Although there was a Catholic church on the site in the 1960s, the priest from the parish of the neighboring village comes to mass only once a month. The rest of the time, local shamans use this area to create “magic potions.” Chickens are often sacrificed during healing ceremonies at this cemetery.

Cemetery in a cafe (Ahmedabad, India)

Tourists who go for a bite to eat at the New Lucky restaurant in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad find themselves in a cemetery - ancient Muslim graves are located throughout the building.

Okuno-in Cemetery (Japan)

Okuno is a sacred village near 120 Buddhist temples. The local cemetery is associated with an eerie legend. Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, is said to rest here and, according to legend, he did not die, but only entered deep samadhi and will be reborn along with his followers.

Equipment cemeteries present an equally creepy sight. will amaze even seasoned travelers.

Throughout history, people have buried their dead in all sorts of ways. Today, archaeologists find such unique burial places as the Valley of the Kings and necropolises in Greece. However, in addition to the burial grounds that everyone knows about, there are many more interesting examples of burials, many of which may seem strange today.

1. Plain of Jars

The mysterious Plain of Jars in Laos has been of archaeological interest since its discovery. It was created approximately 3,000 years ago, and the mysterious vessels in this valley reach a height of 1 to 3 meters. Each jug weighs up to 13 tons.

In April 2016, scientists stated that these jars were used for burials, or more precisely, that bodies were placed in them so that they would decompose to the bones. The bones were then removed and placed in special ceremonial vessels, which were buried in traditional graves.

2. American Cemetery of Oise-Aisne (section E)

Plots A-D at Oise-Aisne Cemetery are fairly standard - they are where the 6,000 American soldiers who died in World War I in France are buried. But there is another area in the cemetery that is surrounded by bushes and is not mentioned on the cemetery website or on its map.

The only way to get there is to get permission from the ranger. Plot E contains the bodies of 94 people executed for crimes committed during World War II, including rape, murder and desertion. The people buried at this site have their backs to the main cemetery, and there are no US flags.

3. Sutton Hoo

At first glance, there is nothing unusual in the burial mound necropolis of Sutton Hoo (near Woodbridge in the UK). But this necropolis became famous as Britain's Valley of the Kings because it was the burial place of a sixth- to seventh-century British king. Although a number of hills in this place were plundered, the king's burial chamber miraculously remained intact.

It contained a 30-meter funeral ship, Byzantine silverware, jewelry, a feast set, a purse with 37 Merovingian gold coins, two gold bars, an inlaid weapon and an iron helmet.

4. Dog Sematary

Le Cimetiere des Chiens is located in Asnieres-sur-Seine, northwest of Paris. The name of this cemetery, which opened in 1899, translates to "dog cemetery" and this is not surprising, since it is the burial place for some of man's best friends who have passed on. Although initially only dogs were buried at Le Cimetiere des Chiens, other animals later found their eternal rest there.

For example, you can find the graves of many cats, several horses, and even several exotic animals such as monkeys. An interesting fact is that during both world wars, beloved service dogs that died during the war were buried in the cemetery.

5. Savannah International Airport

There is a very interesting story associated with the 17th century graves of Richard and Catherine Dotson. The land in Savannah where Richard and Catherine were buried was originally given to the couple by the British royal family. The Dotson family made a farm and cemetery on this land.

During World War II, when the U.S. Army wanted to build runways for bombers and fighters on part of the Dotsons' land, the family's descendants allowed it with two conditions: the Army had to pay to move the family cemetery to Bonaventure Cemetery, and the graves of Richard and Catherine had to to stay on the land that the crown granted them.

The family's demands were met, but the airport subsequently grew. In 1980, when the airport wanted to expand the runway, permission to move the graves was not granted, so the unusual decision was made - the graves remained right inside the runway.

6. Qafzeh Cave

Skeletons of 15 people decorated with ocher were discovered in an Israeli cave. Scientists considered this an unusual burial ceremony. However, what is especially surprising is not the symbolism during the burial, but the fact that the skeletons were... about 100,000 years old. This makes the Qafzeh Cave the earliest example of a deliberate process of burying the dead.

7. Okunoin

Okunoin Cemetery, located on Mount Koya in Japan, is the largest in the country. At the same time, it is also one of the most unusual - after all, many tombstones are made in the form of the profession of the people who are buried in the graves - there are tombstones in the shape of spaceships, cups and even insects. The latter was created by an insecticide company and is dedicated to all the tiny lives that have been lost to their products.

Notably, Okunoin also has a statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, which people pour water on to pray for the newly deceased. The cemetery is considered the holiest site in Japan because it is where Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, sleeps in eternal meditation in a sixth-century mausoleum. It is believed that he did not die, but entered a deep meditative state in anticipation of the Coming Buddha.

8. Chamber cairns

There are burial places that also had a religious or ritual purpose. In such tombs, people often not only buried the dead, but also lived (or performed rituals). This practice has been used since Neolithic times in the form of chambered cairns, which can be found throughout Britain. They are most often found on the Orkney Islands in Scotland.

These structures look like bunkers or trenches, in which there is a long corridor, divided into “chambers” on both sides by vertical stone slabs. In each cell, a dead person was placed on a bench. It is believed that people in those days regularly visited cairns, performing various rituals there among the dead.

9. Greek burials

3,000 skeletons were found in a doorway Greek necropolis in Sicily. At least two of these skeletons puzzled archaeologists who explored the necropolis in the 1980s. Their heads and legs were crushed under large stones. It is believed that these stones were intended to prevent the dead from rising from their graves.

One of the two skeletons was found to have delayed dental growth, suggesting either malnutrition or some kind of disease. The other skeleton was a child who died of unknown causes. .

10. Small River Cemetery No. 5

In the hot desert of Xinjiang, China, archaeologists have discovered a burial site of approximately 200 people, which was built about 4,000 years ago. Given the local climate, the corpses were very well preserved, right down to the clothes in which they were buried.

The earliest mummies date back to the 18th century BC. e., and the latest - 2nd century AD. e. The most interesting thing is that they are mostly... Europeans. Many mummies were buried in boats. Each burial was also marked with a 4-meter pole.

Many tourists are shocked. A very interesting tradition.

On July 8, archaeological excavations began at the former site of the Volgacabel plant. This is the first scientific research of the All Saints Cemetery in more than eight decades that have passed since the moment the largest pre-revolutionary urban necropolis began to be continuously barbarically destroyed. For the first time, the remains of Samarans who died about a century ago and were buried at Vsesvyatsky will be reburied, and not mixed with mountains of construction waste. How it was done in previous decades under different political regimes and rulers.

Combining engineer Zimin’s 1996 plan with Google Maps from camapka.ru shows that the Volgacable territory, where archaeologists are now working, occupies the oldest part of the necropolis, designated as the “Old Orthodox Cemetery.”

The area where the excavation site is now filled is, although heavily disturbed, a surviving part of the Old Cemetery, which has been continuously destroyed since the 1930s. It should be noted that during the construction work on the construction of the Gudok shopping center on the territory of the former factory, interrupted for archaeological research, the remaining part of the cemetery was practically not damaged.

This is the only tombstone found so far. The stone lay in a layer of construction debris, so its relationship to that other grave cannot be established.

It is possible that the bones of the Chizhovs will never be found again.

By the way, the black marble monument was ordered in Moscow.

Most likely, as a result of the excavations, no one will be personally identified. Thanks to the developers of the 1930s.

In 1930, the City Council issued a decree “On the sale of monuments, crosses, grilles and tombstones and signs within the city limits.” Its result was the almost complete disappearance of identifying marks of the graves of the All Saints Cemetery. Over the course of several years, looters stole tombstones and fences, turning the territory of the necropolis into a giant wasteland and making the graves unmarked. It is from this moment that the burial places of the mothers of Alexei Nikolaevich Tolstoy and Fyodor Ivanovich Chaliapin, the famous philanthropist and local historian Konstantin Pavlovich Golovkin and the great historian Academician Sergei Fedorovich Platonov can be considered irretrievably lost.

After this, even that small section of the Old Orthodox Cemetery, which survived the construction of the plant’s workshops, was significantly damaged.

In the 1950s, ceramic pipes were laid on the site and the bones were thrown into a dump.

A collector installed directly in a brick crypt. Probably at the same time as pipe laying.

A well shaft installed directly onto a burial site.

Archaeological research on the surviving sites began last Monday.

The regional Ministry of Culture reports on the progress of work almost daily. But the volumes of even the preserved area are enormous. And archaeologists, apparently, will stay here for a long time.

Everything is done according to science. This is a scientific study of the necropolis, and not a simple reburial of remains. Everything is recorded, sketched...

The bone remains are analyzed by Doctor of Historical Sciences Alexander Aleksandrovich Khokhlov.

The sex of the deceased, pathologies and diseases are determined.

The excavation works are carried out by people with considerable experience in archaeological research and students of Samara universities.

Many burial grounds were destroyed by construction work in the 1940s-1980s. Skeletons are not always found complete. Sometimes bones are not found in anatomical order.

However, the clearing of the remaining area is being carried out quite meticulously.

One of the few well-preserved intact burials.

Vessels are often found in coffins at Vsesvyatsky.

According to one version, these are oil vessels. According to tradition, the oil remaining from the sacrament of unction was poured into the coffin of the deceased. It is possible that the vessel from this oil was placed there.

A grave of strange origins that scientists will have to deal with in the future. Several still-unrigid corpses were randomly dumped into it.

And a little about the finds made last week...

The finds are collected, processed, and then transferred to the museum collection.

Cross from a priest's grave. In addition, a decayed Psalter was found in it.

Cross made of semi-precious stone.

Pectoral crosses of a more familiar type to our contemporaries are more common.

Cross and decayed icon.

The fabric in the burials had decayed, but two woven black scarves were found.

Metal decoration detail. Probably from the wreath.

Outside the excavation area you can see new buildings built on the territory of the same cemetery. Without conducting any archaeological research. One can only guess about the fate of the remains of the Samarans located underneath them.