Tattooing is the procedure of drawing permanent designs on the human body. Tattoo drawings are done by pricking small holes on the skin with a stick, bone, or needle dipped in pigments with colors.
Tattooing is a form of body art and is one of the oldest forms of creative expression. Tattoos were done for different reasons such as to show status or for personal purposes.
Archeologically validated works of art revealing tattoos came out about 30,000 years ago.
Following is a brief record of tattoos found in various people and objects over the years.
Polynesians used tattooing as a means to express their identity and personality. One's tattoo indicated one's status.
Pazyryk Mummies were found in the Altai Mountains of Siberia and have been dated to be around 2400 years old. Their tattoos were thought to have magical significance.
Mummy of Amunet - All tattooed Egyptian mummies found to date are female. As such, leading scholarly thoughts say that tattoos are linked to fertility.
Tattooing in the Pacific - Evidence of tattooing was found in pottery approximately 3000 years old.
Tattooing in Japan - The earliest evidence of tattooing comes from figurines called dogu.
Tattooing in Ancient Greece and Rome - Tattoos were used to mark slaves and punish criminals.
Tattooing in Central and South America - Tattooed Inca mummies dating to the 11th century have been found in Peru. In Mexico and Central America, Mayan tattooing reveal tattoos to be a sign of courage.
Tattooing in France - In the 18th century, sailors returning from the South Pacific had been elaborately tattooed.
Tattooing in England - Tattooing flourished in the 19th century and became something of a tradition in the British Navy.
[ More Articles On Art And Paintings ]
|
