history of tattoos

history of tattoos

HISTORY OF THE TATTOO

Tattoos have existed for centuries, dating as far back to at least 3,000 B.C., long before the birth of Jesus Christ. Although, no one can be exactly sure of when tattooing began, the earliest evidence is of a recent 1991 discovery of a mummy named Oetzi, the Iceman. Discovered in the Otzal Alps between Austria and Italy, the frozen tattooed iceman, was carbon dated at around 5,300 years old. This would make the Iceman the earliest evidence of tattooing today.
Tattoos have been discovered throughout many countries and different cultures. Perhaps, the most commonly known country or culture thought of when thinking of tattoos, would be, the ancient Egyptians. The discovery of Egyptian mummies covered in various tattoos, dates back to 2100 B.C. mainly worn by women, Egyptian tattoos were believed to be of ritual markings.
Before the discovery of the Iceman, the Russians discovered mummies in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. It was determined that these excavated bodies were over 2,400 years old.
Japan, different from other countries, displayed tattoos on clay figures. These figures were found in the tombs along with the deceased they resembled. These mummies have been dated back to 3000 B.C. It is believed that the markings or tattoos displayed on the figures, were of some kind of magical significance. It wasn’t until 297 A.D., that the first documented tattoo of Japan was discovered and thought to be for decorative purposes.
Tattoos began over 2,000 years ago among the Polynesian culture, Samoan’s to be exact. In Samoa, tattoos or tatau, meaning to tap, is a tradition and a skill that is passed from father to son. The tattoo artist’s in Samoa are known as tufuga. Samoan tattoos, unlike other cultures, were given as a symbol of rank and title.
There is evidence of tattoos in many countries and among many different cultures. Each has their own history, differing from each other in their own ways. Viewed to many as a form of...