Lasers Reveal Ancient Tattoo Patterns on Peruvian Mummies

For over 5,000 years, people around the world have been decorating their bodies with tattoos. A new research study has employed lasers to uncover detailed designs of ancient tattoos found on mummies from Peru.

The preserved skin on these mummies, combined with the contrasting black tattoo ink, allows researchers to see fine details of tattoos that are not visible to the naked eye. According to Michael Pittman, an archaeologist from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and co-author of the study, these tattoos date back to around 1250 A.D. The researchers examined nearly 100 mummies belonging to the Chancay culture, a civilization that existed before the Inca empire and prior to European arrival in South America.

All of the individuals examined bore tattoos on various body parts, including the back of their hands, knuckles, and forearms. The study particularly highlighted four individuals who had “exceptional tattoos,” featuring geometric designs like triangles and diamonds. Pittman explained that while the exact methods used to create these tattoos remain unclear, their quality is impressive and comparable to modern electric tattooing techniques. Aaron Deter-Wolf, a pre-Columbian tattoo expert and archaeologist at the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, appreciated the quality, stating he was not involved in the study but found the results to be significant. The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The technique used to reveal the tattoos involved lasers that illuminate the skin, effectively turning it into a “light bulb,” as explained by Tom Kaye, another co-author and a member of the Foundation for Scientific Advancement in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Deter-Wolf noted that these findings demonstrate the potential of non-destructive technologies for studying sensitive archaeological materials like mummies.

The oldest known tattoos were discovered on the remains of a Neolithic man in the Italian Alps, dating back to around 3,000 B.C. Ancient Egyptian mummies also show signs of tattoos, similar to specimens from various cultures worldwide. Throughout history, tattoos have served many purposes, including marking cultural identities, commemorating life events, indicating social status, or even as a means to ward off illness or forge relationships with spiritual entities. Lars Krutak, an archaeologist at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, emphasized the multifaceted nature of tattoos and their roles in societies.

While researchers more frequently study preserved designs on pottery, textiles, or stone artifacts, ancient tattoos provide unique insights into figurative and abstract art forms that cannot be accessed otherwise, as stated by Bournemouth University archaeologist Martin Smith, who did not take part in the study. These findings shed new light on a vibrant aspect of ancient culture, revealing the artistry and significance tattoos held in the lives of ancient peoples.

tattoos, Peru, mummies, technology, archaeology