For a prince in ancient Russia, an earring was commonplace – just as it was for a Russian cavalryman during the Napoleonic wars. And, in Moscow Tsardom, men’s earrings were a treasure that could be inherited, as well as a sign of status.
When Russian colonists encountered the Chukchi people, they met face to face with fierce warriors, who kept the neighboring tribes living in fear. And it’s not like the natives were planning on surrendering to the invader.