Two women were mummified by tattoos in an ancient city on the banks of the Nile River. This suggests that the lower back was a popular tattoo spot for over 3,000 years.
Researchers recently published a paper about one of the female mummies. Although she was discovered at Deir el-Medina around a century old, experts only recently noticed that her skin had developed a black color.
A band of permanent drawn diamonds runs just above her buttocks. It is similar to the patterns found on the ceilings in tombs at the time.
Researchers found the second female mummy, but it was not visible due to her tattoo on her lower back. Her lower back has a slightly different pattern than the other mummy. It features a water pattern as well as a line of plants.
Researchers believe this may be the shores of Nile, where women might have sought refuge during menstruation or pregnancy. A surveillance camera watches over the scene. wedjat-eyeThe Egyptian god Horus represented the symbol of protection, healing, and well-being.
These aren’t the only female mummies that have been found tattooed. This was the first tattooed Mummy. Discovered in Egypt in 1891In the years since, There are seven morea total of two were found in Dier el-Medina.
These mummies also have tattoos on the lower back and neck, as well as the hips.
For example, the hip of a mummy discovered in the 20th Century is permanently marked with an image resembling the Egyptian god. BesHe was, among other responsibilities as a protector for pregnant women.
Many tattoos found on these mummies are located around the hips or lower back. This could indicate that their purpose may be reproduction. Even figurines of female bodies are decorated around the mid-section on these mummies. It is unclear if those etchings are tattoos.
According to the latest analysis, “Acute lower back pain often accompanies labor and in some cases, menstruation as well.” Send an email.
Lower back tattoos were perhaps first created to protect against the pains associated with womanhood.
A marsh near the banks the Nile could be a place women can spend some time in during pregnancy and menstruation. To bring that soothing power with them wherever they went, there was a possibility ancient Egyptian women had the sanctuary tattooed to their lower backs.
The authors say that “it is important to consider the ubiquity of this interpretation.” Receipt.
“If tattoos were meant to prevent pain or ensure a successful pregnancy, or to avoid pain for the mother who has them, then we would expect to see these marks more often.”
Not all Egyptian adult female mummies are similarly tattooed. While some mummies appear to have bare skin, others are covered with more than 30 tattoos.
Researchers are only able to speculate on why. This tattoo was probably only for women who were involved in giving birth, such as midwives. It could have been a symbol of goddess cult members.
These tattoos, whatever their meaning, were certainly not ‘trashy. They were strong.
The study was published by The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology.
