Humans have practiced tattooing from time immemorial. A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has now unveiled faded tattoos on mummies from the ancient Chancay culture – an ancient civilization that lived on the Peruvian coast between 900 and 1500 C.E. Researchers used laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) to rediscover the faded body art.
The process involves pointing a laser at the mummy’s skin. The light causes the skin to glow, highlighting the ink so that it is visible in long-exposure photos. LSF reveals the centuries-old tattoos more clearly than other methods, like multispectral imaging.
In this study, researchers examined over 100 mummies. They found tattoos on the hands, knuckles, and forearms. The designs included geometric shapes like triangles and diamonds, vines, and animals. The tattoos were surprisingly precise, with lines only 0.1 to 0.2 mm wide, even finer than some modern tattoo needles can produce.
Interestingly, it remains unclear whether the Chancay mummies were naturally preserved – since bodies can sometimes survive for centuries in favorable environmental conditions – or if they underwent a treatment similar to Egyptian mummification. Researchers found traces of Myroxylon balsamum, a tree native to South America, likely aiding their preservation.
According to the study’s authors, tattoos in the Chancay culture had meanings beyond decoration. They might have represented spiritual beliefs or social status, which may help them understand how those ancient people lived and what they valued. The study showed the incredible potential of LSF, and the authors believe the technique will help further the research of tattoos from other ancient cultures.