Archaeologists found an unexpected treasure trove in the Pazyryk Mummies, or the ice mummies. This discovery offers intriguing glimpses into the ancient world of tattooing in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. Their well-preserved remains are in deep burial chambers of permafrost. They provide unrepeatable first-hand glimpses into the curious personal agency of ancient tattooers. A new archaeological study, just published in the journal Antiquity, uncovers a remarkable find. Scientists are able to study the intact skin of mummies and investigate tattoos that appear to use methods similar to contemporary tattooing practices.
The Pazyryk Mummies, from Central Asia, date from c. 500 BCE. Archaeologists have been stopped in their tracks by the extraordinary quality of preservation for decades. The frozen ground where they were buried has helped to keep their bodies well-preserved, even in some cases leaving their skin completely intact. Using an extraordinary preservation technique, scientists have revealed exquisite information about ancient head shaping and other body modification practices. This study further demonstrates that tattooing was probably rampant throughout prehistory.
Discovering the Ice Mummies
The Pazyryk Mummies were found in a chain of burial mounds called kurgans that stretched along the Altai Mountains. These mounds served as burial sites for the nearby nomadic tribes. They contain not only human remains but artifacts that provide significant details about their way of life. These deep burial chambers are usually covered by permafrost. This extraordinary environment allows us to find and study organic materials that would otherwise not survive under other archaeological or paleontological conditions.
The importance of these findings is much more than just academic history. The mummies’ extraordinary skin preservation provides a unique snapshot of tattooing practices in early Peru. Many of us have seen what archaeologists have found tattoos on some CT scanned mummies. Still, they miss the mark without detailed biological information on tattooing techniques used and their underlying meanings.
Analyzing Ancient Tattoos
Thanks to recently developed imaging technology, researchers have recently been able to do a full 3-dimensional digital scan of one such tattooed Pazyryk Mummy. This scan used a sub-millimeter resolution coupled with digital near-infrared photography, unmasking complex details that had never before been seen. The high-resolution near-infrared data allowed scientists to analyze the tattooing methods used by prehistoric artists, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of body modification.
The results show that one specific mummy had tattoos on its forearm. From the rooftops to the street cars, these designs offer a beautiful reflection of their city’s cultural identity. Dr. Caspari, one of the lead researchers, says these tattoos are illustrative of agency in prehistoric societies. A transformative approach to the body that prioritizes self-expression and pleasure is reflected in the contemporary tattoo experience.
Understanding Prehistoric Tattooers
Prior to this, much of the scholarly research about the Pazyryk Mummies came from Soviet Union archaeologists. Turns out, prehistoric tattooers in Siberia wielded a personal agency on par with today’s professional tattoo artists. The lack of surviving tattoos from cultures outside of tattooed Europeans creates major hurdles. As this history of body modification practices shows, the very art of human invention proves why individual creativity and choice are essential.
According to Dr. Caspari’s research, prehistoric tattooing was likely a universal practice across many cultures. Despite the lack of evidence, this practice must have been widespread. The preservation of tattoos on the Pazyryk Mummies provides a rare opportunity to explore this aspect of human history more comprehensively.
