The practice of tattooing is thousands of years old. Historians and archeologists could only speculate the intricate designs and their importance until recently. Advancing technology has led to the discovery of ancient human remains with preserved tattoos.

The Siberian Ice Maiden

One of the most well known examples of preserved tattoos is the Siberian Ice Maiden. She was first discovered in an underground tomb located in the Eurasian Steppes. Her body remained well preserved for nearly 2,500 years due to the harsh, arid climate.

She has intricate tattoos from her shoulders to her hands. The designs and subject matter show that she was likely a high priestess or healer among her people. Ancient tattoo artists would use crude tools fashioned from sharp objects or bones and ink made from soot and animal fats. The process was not easy or comfortable, which makes her skin art even more incredible. The images show artistic renderings of stags and other wild animals that would have been important to her culture.

Ötzi, The Ancient Iceman

Even older than the Ice Maiden is Ötzi the Iceman. He was near perfectly

preserved by frigid climate for roughly 5,300 years. Ötzi was believed to have roughly 45-55 preserved tattoos when he was first examined. Archeologists later concluded that Ötzi has 61 total tattoos by using sophisticated modern imaging techniques that shows even slight differences in skin tone. His tattoos vary in size but all seem to follow the same style of simple lines, dashes or hash marks. Though his tattoos may not be as intricate as the Ice Maiden’s, Ötzi’s ancient ink has stood the test of time far longer and endured far better.

The Lady of Cao

On the other side of the world, a more recent discovery of preserved female remains stirred controversy in Peru and allowed archaeologists to shed misconceptions and gain a better understanding for ancient Moche culture. Mummification was not a common for Moche people. Only people of societal significance would be mummified. Her body was in such impeccable shape that multiple tattoos were still visible. She had images of crabs, spiders, serpents and other animals of spiritual importance to Moche culture. Her tattoos are representative of a higher connection to the divine.

The area that she was discovered in is called Huaca El Brujo or The Sacred Place of the Wizard. The relics found in her tomb and being mummified indicate that her people thought highly of her. Moche people were thought to be a male ruled society until the discovery of the Lady of Cao and subsequent female remains proved otherwise. Her tomb displayed with valuables, sophisticated weaponry and metalcrafts that indicated she was indeed a high ranking member of society.

These three are not alone, however, dozens of tattooed human remains have been discovered. The art is always uniquely significant to the individual, their culture and beliefs, and the time period that they lived.