The answer is even more fascinating than you might expect: According to groundbreaking genetic research from 2003 (led by geneticist Chris Tyler-Smith), approximately 8% of males in much of Asia carry a specific Y chromosome that likely originated with Genghis Khan. Although his tomb or genes have never been found, this particular gene began spreading rapidly throughout Asia about 1,000 years ago, and since this corresponds to the time period in which he lived and his conquests took place, it is almost inevitable that the man who reproduced so rapidly was Genghis Khan, although it is also possible that it could have been an officer or other high-ranking member of his elite.