ANCIENT TATTOOS: IDENTITY & CULTURE PRESERVED IN SKIN
The skin of the human body has been a canvas for cultural inscriptions for thousands of years. It's only been recently, within the twenty-first century, that tattoos and other modifications of the skin have become less of a social taboo within contemporary western culture. Western anthropologists and ethnographers have been fascinated with the social and symbolic meanings of tattoos among different cultures since European explorers first came in contact with Pacific Islanders. Why do humans do this? In terms of biology, all organisms evolve and live to avoid physical affliction and illness (with the exception of childbirth) that could threaten their ability to survive and reproduce, either by permanent injury or death. It could seem as if ritual cosmetic body modification, requiring the damage of skin with a risk of infection (especially before modern medicine), is an oddity of animal behavior in terms of species survival. One of the key components that separates the human species from the rest of the planet's organisms is the human mind's level of consciousness, extreme awareness of the ego and natural world, that allows humanity to interpret their surroundings; providing the ability to manipulate and dominate their environment. All aspects of human culture are products of their rationalization of the world and the cosmos; the ways in which cultures choose to express their identities by manipulation of the natural world is dependent on their perception of the physical and intangible realities.
For anthropologists, art is one of the most valuable forms of human expression which provides important information on past and present cultures' understanding of the world. Art as a social and cultural expression through the use of symbolism can demonstrate specific beliefs and behaviors, all of which are based on human interpersonal and universal connections. The extent of the human necessity for self-kinship expression of identity for cultural survival is a dominant influence on behavior, just as how behavior is dominated by the manipulation of the environment for biological survival. Considering this while viewing the human species as a whole, ritual-cosmetic modification of the human body is an unsurprising behavioral analogue between manipulation of the physical world and the expression of conscious identity. Whether a tattoo is a symbol of spirituality or purely for medicinal purposes, it is an expression of human normalities, values, and beliefs; as well as biological necessities. Tattooing as an art form has matured from a long evolution of ancient ritualistic practices of body modification (Schildkrout2004:319-323,330). As we continue to discover mummified human remains with tattoos, we will continue to learn more about of one of the most important art forms in human history.
References:
For anthropologists, art is one of the most valuable forms of human expression which provides important information on past and present cultures' understanding of the world. Art as a social and cultural expression through the use of symbolism can demonstrate specific beliefs and behaviors, all of which are based on human interpersonal and universal connections. The extent of the human necessity for self-kinship expression of identity for cultural survival is a dominant influence on behavior, just as how behavior is dominated by the manipulation of the environment for biological survival. Considering this while viewing the human species as a whole, ritual-cosmetic modification of the human body is an unsurprising behavioral analogue between manipulation of the physical world and the expression of conscious identity. Whether a tattoo is a symbol of spirituality or purely for medicinal purposes, it is an expression of human normalities, values, and beliefs; as well as biological necessities. Tattooing as an art form has matured from a long evolution of ancient ritualistic practices of body modification (Schildkrout2004:319-323,330). As we continue to discover mummified human remains with tattoos, we will continue to learn more about of one of the most important art forms in human history.
References:
- Mercogliano-Wheeler, Alexandra.
- Scildkrout, Enid.
- Rush, John A..