November 29, 2021

History of Tattoos & Body Art

BY SAGETATTOOGALLERY | UNCATEGORIZED

Humans have used tattooing for thousands of years as a way of offering protective symbols, designating people into a social group or as a form of self-expression and beauty. Some of the oldest mummies ever found had tattoos and cultures across the world from the Jōmon period in Japan to isolated ancient communities located in the Alps have examples of tattooing.

In this post, we’ll discuss some of the fascinating history behind tattooing in early civilizations.

First Records of Tattooing
Otzal Alps
In an earlier post, we mentioned Ozti the Iceman, who is the oldest human ever found. His body was preserved in the ice and found near the Italian, Austrian border in 1991. Upon examination, archaeologists found tattoo patterns on his body and dated him around 5300 years old.

Ancient Egypt
Before Ozti, the earliest evidence of tattooing could be found on figurines of women from Ancient Egypt from around 4000-3500 BC. There were also three ancient Egyptian female mummies found with tattoos dating back to 2000 BC. The tattoos were found only on women.

For a long time, the (mostly) male excavators dismissed these women as prostitutes, but new research has shown that at least one of the women found was a high-status priestess named Amunet. Many researchers now believe that the tattoo markings were used as a protective symbol during pregnancy and childbirth because of the pattern of dots over the abdomen and the protective figures tattooed on the top of the thighs.

Jōmon Period Japan
Tattooing has a long history in Japan. In the Jomon period, approximately 10,000 – 300 BC, people used traditional irezumi pattern tattoos. These traditional tattoos were made by hand with wooden handles and metal needles attached with silk thread. The patterns came from ceramic pottery but were embraced by the people as highly symbolic body modification and as amulets for protection.

Women of the Ainu tribe in Hokkaido had striking tattoos around their hands and mouths. The ability to tolerate the pain of the tattoo proved her strength and that she was able to tolerate marriage. Young girls would receive their first tattoo around the age of 10 and continue to add to them until marriage.

Chilean Tribal Tattoos
People in ancient pre-Columbian cultures used highly decorative images and symbols in their tattoos. Tattoos found on mummies show huge tattoos extending throughout their torsos and other tattoos on hands, face, fingers, thumbs, and limbs.

Polynesian Cultures
The western world first took notice of Polynesian tattoos following James Cook’s expedition to Tahiti. The term tattoo was coined after the islander’s word for “Tatatau” or strike. These tattoos became popular with sailors, who then brought them back to Europe. Polynesian tattoos feature elaborate designs that cover the entire body and face in geometric patterns and symbols.

Altai Mountain Region
The Scythian Pazyryk of the Altai Mountains, where Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan meet, used tattoos as a mark of nobility. This practice dates back thousands of years as a male was found in the ice, his body covered in tattoos of mythical animals. Another woman around the same period was found with creatures on her shoulders, wrist, and thumb.

If these ancient cultures & tattoo designs have inspired you to get your own sleeve tattoo or back tattoo, book an appointment with one of our talented tattoo artists at Sage Tattoo and Gallery in Ottawa, ON. We can help you find the right sleeve design, tattoo ideas, and placement for your tattoo and answer any questions you may have about the process. Contact us today to make an appointment for your next sleeve idea, arm tattoo, traditional tattoo designs, or piece of body art.