Russian archaeologists showed off a rare find of 18th century coins and jewelry made in France during the reign of King Louis XIV which, believe it or not, were discovered in the extremely remote northern Arctic region of Russia's Siberia. The artifacts appear to have been obtained and treasured by the indigenous Selkup people for hundreds of years.
How exactly the coins and jewelry arrived in Siberia has not yet been established, but they may have been used by explorers to trade with the indigenous people for food and furs when their own supplies dwindled down in the harsh Siberian climate. The find was discovered in the creek of the Taz River, which flows into the Kara Sea.
The archaeologists also found Russian made iron knives with enamel patterning, a remarkable collection of Russian buttons, and ancient ornamental objects of the West Siberian and Ural regions, including earrings, rings and badges. All the findings will be transferred to the Shemanovsky Museum in Salekhard.