History of Tattoos

“In all ages, far back into prehistory, we find human beings have painted and adorned themselves...” --H.G. Wells

Picture from vanishingtattoo.com

In 1988, the carved figure to the left was found in a cave at Hohlenstein-Stadel, in Germany and was carbon-dated to 32,000 years old. The body had thin lines running across the upper arm.

---from vanishingtattoo.com

The practice of adorning the human body, it seems, has been in existance for as long as man has had access to implements and dyes needed to decorate their bodies. Many theories exist as to the reasons why early man tattooed himself.

One theory is that the earliest tattoos were indications of accupuncture spots as in the case of the "Iceman" Ötzi whose body was discovered in 1991 in the Schnalstal glacier in the Ötztal Alps, near Hauslabjoch on the border between Austria and Italy. Ötzi had approximately 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle. Using X-rays, it was determined that the Iceman may have had arthritis in these joints. This lead to the speculation that they might be related to acupuncture.

The Tattoo on the Inside of the Iceman's Right Knee

Credit: Mr. Sedivy's History Class, Highlands Ranch High School and Wikipedia

The other reasons given, speculated upon and suggested for early man tattooing his body have varied depending upon the time frame and location but tribal identification, status, attraction to the opposite sex and religion have all played a part in the art of body decorating from earliest times.

Carbon black and red ochre are among the earliest substances for marking tattoos with sharpened bone fragments and heavy pounding objects being the earliest implements used.

...to be continued

Taking Care of Your Tattoo:

Before touching your tattoo, scrub your hands with anti-bacterial soap (soap and rinse well at least 3 times).
Wash your tattoo very gently after step 1. with fingertips using a mild soap (soap with no deodorants or any other additives - dove unsented is a good choice) or spectra gel at least 2 times daily until healed.
After cleansing, gently pour warm tepid water over your tattoo for a few minutes and then lightly pat very carefully with a dry, clean towel. NEVER rub.
Carefully apply a light coat of A & D ointment (surgical grade), or Vitamin E ointment, Lubriderm or curel (unsented). Apply ointment about every 2 to 3 hours. Keep tattoo moist to prevent scabbing, but DO NOT over-apply ointment. Rub ointment in well with fingertips and then pat off excess ointment with a clean paper towel.
NOTE: If scab forms, DO NOT FRICK'N PICK!
Avoid submerging under water for long periods of time (gets you out of dishwashing duty) until healed.
Avoid salt or chlorine water and dirt for 2 weeks.
Avoid exposure to direct or simulated sunlight for 3 to 4 weeks.

Your tattoo is guaranteed as long as it hasn’t been tampered with (picked at). If touch ups are required, let your tattoo artist know within the 1st month.

This web site currently under construction - more information coming soon