The art of Tattoo has been around for many thousands of years.The styles and
reasons for it have varied from individual to individual as they have from society to
society.Some tattoos were done for simple adornment, others done for religious
beliefs,and others still for reasons only their owners will understand.Tattooing has
existed in one form or a another across the globe since before recorded history , and the
popularity of this unique form of expression will most likely continue for centuries to
come.Although the basic concept of tattoo has been a constant throughout the history of
mankind the styles and reasons for it have evolved along with mans own evolution.
Five thousand years ago,a man fell dead on the slopes of the Italian Alps.Five
thousand years later when his well preserved body was discovered,something remarkable
was found.Across his back and behind both knees were several simple line tattoos.The
significance to these tattoos , if there was any other then to decorate the body, are
unknown.Some speculate that they were done for medicinal purposes.The pigments used
may have been a certain type of berry know to have curative effects for different
The oldest tattooed mummy on record is the Lady Amunet,who was a priestess of
the Goddess Hathor.She lived in Thebes around 2160 B.C..Her tattoos consisted of
curling blue lines and dots scattered across most of her body.Historians don't know if
there were specific reasons or meanings associated with the markings themselves,or the
placement,however, the current theory is that they are somehow related to a hieroglyphic
image of a woman covered in tattoos.These images of tattooed women , found in the
tombs of Kings , are known as the Brides of the dead.It was thought that these brides of
the dead would lead the dead Kings to the after life and there rejuvenate them.Amunet ,
perhaps,was a living representation of...