From the seventh to the third centuries BC, the tribes of Mongolia lived a distinctive nomadic existence, in contrast to the settled cultures in nearby China. These nomads were organized in clan structures, and with the development of horse breeding, clan élites became increasingly rich and militaristic. Powerful tribal unions arose, notably the Hsiung-nu Empire in Mongolia, which was succeeded by the the Hsien-pi state in 155 AD.

The cultures and economies of the nomadic tribes of northern Asia had many common traits, simply as a result of the requirements of life on the Steppes.  Developments in farming technology in the Iron Age led these cultures to change, with crafts emerging such as pottery and weapons manufacturing. Livestock traditions also moved on, with stockbreeding becoming more specialized, and the development of bridles allowed large numbers of nomads to move quickly across large areas. 

The International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS) was established in August 1995 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) as a direct outcome of the UNESCO Silk Roads Expeditions. The idea of founding the Institute was conceived during the Steppe Route Expedition across Central Asia, one of the expeditions organized within the framework of UNESCO Project "Integral Study of the Silk Roads: Roads of Dialogue", a major project of the World Decade for Cultural Development (1987-1997).