Old Arctic port to be dug up

Russian archaeologists have announced a long-term programme to explore what remains of Russia’s first Arctic port, Mangazeya, which harboured lucrative international trade in the mouth of the Western Siberian river Taz in the early 17th century.

They say they are also hoping to dig up pagan shrines of the first nations inhabiting the surrounding area.

The Mangazeya port was opened in 1601 and shut in 1619 for fear of foreign penetration into Western Siberia.

(TASS)