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Modern Laser Technology Allows Scientists to See Tattoos on Ancient Mummies in Immaculate Detail
Thanks to LSF, we know the mysterious Chancay people of Peru were highly skilled tattoo artists who rival modern methods today
Our species has a long history of decorating our bodies, going so far as to embed ink into our skin, a practice known as tattooing, which remains popular today. I personally have a dozen, but that’s nothing compared to the oldest known tattooed individual who lived 5,000 years ago — he had 61 tattoos. And based on the 100 tattooed mummies found in Peru, the practice was wildly popular among the Chancay people, too.
The bad news is that the conditions of inked-up mummified remains make it challenging to see their original designs with the naked eye. The good news is that thanks to advanced technology, scientists can now expose the artwork in exquisite detail to reveal the ancient artisans’ master-level skills that rival those of tattoo artists today.
Initial Discovery of the Chancay Mummies
Just before the Inca empire expanded, between about 900 and 1533 CE, a mysterious civilization known as the Chancay people inhabited modern-day Peru’s central coastline.
