What Ifs Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Beale Ciphers

The Beale Ciphers are a set of three mysterious coded messages that supposedly reveal the location of a hidden treasure buried in Bedford County, Virginia, in the early 19th century. The treasure, said to contain gold, silver, and jewels, was allegedly hidden by a man named Thomas J. Beale and entrusted to an innkeeper named Robert Morriss in 1822.

The story gained attention through an 1885 pamphlet, which claimed that Beale left behind three encrypted texts. One of them, using the Declaration of Independence as a key, was successfully decoded, revealing details about the treasure's contents. However, the other two cyphers, which supposedly contain the exact location and the names of the treasure's owners, remain unsolved to this day.

Many cryptographers and treasure hunters have attempted to crack the codes, but no one has succeeded. Some believe the story is a hoax, while others think the treasure is still waiting to be discovered. The mystery continues to intrigue adventurers and codebreakers alike.

Answer: King John's Lost Treasure

King John's lost treasure is one of England's most enduring mysteries. In 1216, King John was embroiled in conflict during the First Barons' War. As he travelled across eastern England, his baggage train carrying gold, silver, and potentially royal treasures attempted to cross The Wash, a tidal estuary known for its unpredictable waters and shifting sands. The heavy carts and valuable cargo were swallowed by the muddy terrain, vanishing without a trace.

Despite centuries of speculation and numerous searches, the treasure has never been officially recovered. Some believe it remains buried beneath the marshes, while others think it was secretly retrieved long ago. Recent archaeological efforts in Lincolnshire and Norfolk have reignited hopes of solving the mystery, but for now, King John's lost fortune remains hidden.

Answer: Tomb of Genghis Khan

The tomb of Genghis Khan remains one of history's greatest unsolved mysteries. The legendary Mongol ruler, who built one of the largest empires in history, requested to be buried in complete secrecy upon his death in 1227. According to legend, his loyal soldiers carried his body back to Mongolia, killing anyone who witnessed the funeral procession to ensure the location remained unknown. Some accounts even suggest that a river was diverted over the burial site to hide it forever.

Many believe his tomb lies somewhere in the Khentii Mountains, near the sacred mountain Burkhan Khaldun, but no definitive evidence has ever been found. Over the centuries, numerous expeditions, including satellite searches, have attempted to locate the grave, but Mongolians generally prefer to respect his wish and leave it undiscovered. It is believed Genghis Khan's tomb will be filled with treasures gathered from across the Mongol Empire, such as gold, silver and precious artefacts.

Answer: Kolchak's Gold

Kolchak's Gold refers to a legendary lost treasure from the Russian Civil War. In the early 20th century, Admiral Alexander Kolchak, leader of the anti-Bolshevik White Army, came into possession of a vast portion of Russia's imperial gold reserves. This treasure, originally stored in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), was moved eastward to Kazan for safekeeping during World War I. As the conflict between the Bolsheviks and the White Army intensified, the gold was transported further along the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The fate of Kolchak's treasure remains a mystery. Some believe it was lost in Lake Baikal, possibly sinking when a train derailed into the water. Others speculate that portions of the gold were hidden in underground tunnels near Omsk, where Kolchak's headquarters were. There are theories that Czech soldiers, who played a role in Kolchak's downfall, may have taken some of the treasure when they fled Russia.

Despite numerous searches and expeditions, the full extent of Kolchak's Gold has never been recovered, making it one of Russia's most intriguing lost treasures.

Answer: The Treasure of the Llanganatis

The Treasure of the Llanganatis is one of South America's most renowned lost treasures. It is said to have been hidden deep within the Llanganates Mountains of Ecuador by the Inca general Rumiñahui in the 16th century. The treasure, believed to consist of gold, silver, and precious artefacts, was originally meant as a ransom to free the captured Inca ruler Atahualpa from the Spanish conquistadors. However, when Atahualpa was executed, Rumiñahui supposedly diverted the treasure away from the Spanish and concealed it in the remote wilderness.

Over the centuries, explorers and treasure hunters have searched for the hoard, but its exact location remains unknown. Some believe it was hidden in a cave, while others think it was dumped into a lake. Despite numerous expeditions, the treasure has never been officially recovered, making it one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the Inca Empire.

Answer: The Menorah from the Second Temple

The Menorah from the Second Temple is one of the most famous lost treasures of Jewish history. This sacred seven-branched candelabrum was used in the Second Temple of Jerusalem, but its fate remains a mystery. When the Romans conquered Jerusalem in 70 CE, they looted the temple and carried its treasures back to Rome. The Menorah is famously depicted on the Arch of Titus, showing Roman soldiers parading it through the streets.

Many believe the Menorah was stored in Rome's Temple of Peace, but its whereabouts after the fall of the Roman Empire are unknown. Some theories suggest it was hidden in the Vatican, while others believe it was lost or melted down. Despite numerous searches, no definitive evidence of its existence has been found.

Answer: Tomb of Qin Shi Huang

The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, is one of the most fascinating and mysterious burial sites in history. Located in Lintong, Shaanxi Province, the tomb was constructed over 38 years, beginning in 246 BCE when Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne. It is part of a vast mausoleum complex, designed to reflect the emperor's capital city, complete with palaces, underground chambers, and intricate defences.

The most famous discovery associated with the tomb is the Terracotta Army, a massive collection of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots meant to protect the emperor in the afterlife. Despite extensive archaeological work, the central tomb chamber, where Qin Shi Huang himself is believed to be buried, has never been excavated. Ancient texts describe a burial site filled with rivers of mercury, hidden traps, and priceless treasures, but its secrets remain untouched.

Answer: Lost Treasure of Flor do Mar

The Lost Treasure of Flor do Mar is one of the biggest maritime mysteries in history. The Flor do Mar was a Portuguese carrack, a massive sailing ship built in 1502. It played a key role in Portugal's expansion into the Indian Ocean, participating in several military campaigns. However, its final voyage in 1511 would prove disastrous.

After the Portuguese conquest of Malacca, the ship was loaded with an enormous treasure, including gold, silver, and riches taken from the Sultan of Malacca's palace. The treasure was meant to be delivered to the King of Portugal, but the ship never made it home. While sailing near Sumatra, the Flor do Mar was caught in a violent storm, ran aground, and sank. Though some survivors, including the famous Portuguese commander Afonso de Albuquerque, escaped, the treasure was lost to the sea.

Despite centuries of speculation and searches, the treasure has never been recovered, making it one of the most sought-after lost riches in history.

Answer: Treasure of Awa Maru

The Treasure of Awa Maru is one of the most puzzling lost treasures of World War II. The Awa Maru was a Japanese ocean liner that was repurposed as a Red Cross relief ship during the war. In 1945, it was carrying valuable supplies meant for Allied prisoners of war, but after completing its mission, it secretly took on passengers, diplomats, and possibly a vast treasure of gold, platinum, and other riches.

While sailing through the Taiwan Strait, the ship was mistaken for an enemy vessel and torpedoed by the USS Queenfish, sinking with nearly 2,000 people on board. Rumours suggest that the ship was carrying billions in treasure, but despite salvage efforts, no significant riches have ever been recovered.

Answer: Jaigarh Fort Treasure

The Jaigarh Fort Treasure is one of India's most enigmatic lost riches. Jaigarh Fort, located in Rajasthan, was historically a stronghold for the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. It was built in 1726 by Maharaja Jai Singh II and was known for its military significance and hidden wealth.

Rumours suggest that the fort once housed an immense treasure, possibly linked to the Mughal Empire. Some believe that Raja Man Singh I, a trusted general of Emperor Akbar, brought back vast riches from his campaigns in Afghanistan and stored them within the fort's underground chambers. The treasure remained hidden for centuries, fueling speculation about its existence.

In 1976, during India's Emergency period, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a massive search operation at Jaigarh Fort, involving the Indian Army, police, and tax officials. The hunt lasted for months, but no official confirmation of treasure discovery was ever made. Some believe the wealth was secretly removed, while others think it still lies buried within the fort's depths.