First pictures of Tibet (10 photos)

This is one of the first pictures of Lhasa. While foreigners under penalty of death was denied entry to Tibet. Photographic survey also punishable by death. Two young Russian travelers - Buryat and Kalmyk Gombozhab Tsybikov Ovshe Norzunov - disguised as Buddhist pilgrims got into central Tibet and at the risk of being discovered, made a series of photographs. Concealed from everyone, including each other. After a long and difficult journey pictures were taken in Russia, published in St. Petersburg and Paris and, of course, caused a sensation. Each of the two travelers ahead was a life full of adventure and achievement, with a mysterious end, but these photos have become, perhaps, the main thing that it was.



And in 1905, a little-known US scientific magazine, is on the verge of bankruptcy, has decided to publish its report on Tibet. Money for serious article was not, so he took donated Tsybikova and Norzunovym Tibetan photos and posted them on the turns with a few comments. Unaccustomed supply of interesting material brought unexpected success. In fact, these photographs rescued from ruin magazine and helped him find his trademark style. You may have heard his name. It was National Geographic.