At one time, the reaches of the Great Steppe, the Central Asian deserts that seem to be lifeless, were the scene of movement of huge armies and numerous people. The ancient history of these areas became for Nikolay Roerich the theme of his works where he turned both to images of historical figures and the real traces of the bygone times, linking the past to the present.
“We followed again the course of Karakash… low graves, bristling with bunchuks with horse tails at the ends.
We again put up tents. Nearby, there is a lonely grave with two tails on bent stakes. I painted…”
(N.K. Roerich. Altai – Himalayas)