A. M. SHUSTOVA Candidate of Philosophical Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Keywords: animal style art, nomads of Central Asia, Yu. N. Roerich, modern significance of history In the modern era, historical knowledge is becoming increasingly important. We come to understand that history is not a mechanical series of separate events, but a complex process of creative continuity. Any present necessarily has a genetic connection with the past, and the future-with the present. The present generations are not completely separated from the people of antiquity. In fact, the most ancient cultures of Asia, only in a different capacity, continue to be present today. Many everyday objects, as well as the greatness of academic art, could not have been realized without the heritage of the most ancient cultures of Asia. Knowledge of history is necessary to establish the correct direction of evolution. By and large, the development of all sciences is based on the knowledge of history. The exceptional importance of the historical factor in the development of the state and the peoples that make up its community is also evidenced by the fact that history is increasingly becoming an arena for the struggle of opposing forces, as well as becoming an object of ideological pressure and manipulation of consciousness. This struggle involves both works of ancient art and valuable historical artifacts, which become objects of ideological pressure and political bargaining. This is most acutely manifested in critical epochs, such as our time. An example is the crisis unfolding before our eyes regarding the return of the so-called Scythian gold, which was taken from the Crimean museums to the West for exhibitions. It so happened that while the Crimean exhibits of Scythian history were abroad, Crimea became part of Russia. And then there was a problem where and how the collection will be returned. Crimean exhibits, logically, should return to the Crimea and p ... Читать далее