Buzz
Tattoos represent a lifelong commitment, as they are permanently etched onto your skin. These forms of body art can be visually stunning, emotionally moving, or even humorous. Occasionally, they serve as cringe-worthy mementos of impulsive decisions made during a night of revelry.
However, tattoos can also carry profound scientific and historical significance. Discoveries of tattoos on ancient Egyptian mummies or in Medieval burial sites provide insights into the traditions of bygone civilizations. Researchers have explored their potential uses, such as monitoring glucose levels, identifying tumors, and storing vaccination records. Below are ten intriguing tattoo tales from recent years, each with a captivating narrative behind the ink.
10. Deciphering the Mysteries of Ötzi the Iceman
In 1991, scientists discovered the mummified body of a 5,300-year-old man in the Alps, perfectly preserved in ice. Dubbed Ötzi the Iceman, they were amazed to find 61 carbon-based tattoos adorning his remains.
How were these ancient tattoos created? Researchers have proposed several methods, such as embedding soot into incisions or igniting plant material beneath the skin. In 2022, a collaboration between scientists and tattoo artists aimed to test these theories. They employed four distinct methods to replicate the same design on the leg of Danny Riday, a tattoo artist from New Zealand.
The team aimed to replicate the design using tools that would have been accessible in ancient times. Their approach included materials like animal bone, obsidian, and boar tusk, combined with techniques such as hand-tapping and hand-poking.
After documenting the patterns on Riday’s leg, the team concluded that Ötzi’s tattoos were likely created through hand-poking with a single-pointed instrument. Archaeologist Aaron Deter-Wolf stated, 'We ultimately suggested that Ötzi’s tattoos were made by puncturing the skin, possibly using a bone or copper awl.'
9. Why Surgeons Might Opt to Tattoo Your Colon
While the colon isn’t the most obvious location for a tattoo, there’s a practical reason doctors might choose to mark it. For patients with internal lesions or small cuts, tattoos can serve as markers for surgeons. These tattoos are usually made of carbon black, but they can sometimes leak and lead to unintended complications.
In 2022, researchers from the American Chemical Society introduced a groundbreaking colon tattoo ink made from biomaterials. This innovative colorant, composed of nanoparticles and polymers, enhances visibility and accuracy. Successful trials on pig intestines and live mice demonstrated its effectiveness.
The team aims to apply this ink in human patients to facilitate safer removal of polyps and tumors. Beyond the colon, they envision its use in marking tumors throughout the digestive tract or even the pancreas, provided the precision meets the required standards.
8. Inks That Change Color to Monitor Glucose Levels
For individuals managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes or kidney disease, monitoring internal biomarkers like glucose, albumin, or pH levels is crucial. In 2019, German scientists introduced a novel method for tracking these levels: tattoos that change color in response to biomarker fluctuations.
Although tested only on pig skin so far, the results have been remarkable. The tattoos shifted colors across the spectrum as researchers adjusted biomarker levels. While the pH sensor is reversible, the glucose and albumin sensors are single-use. Despite this limitation, the technology holds immense potential to transform medical diagnostics in the future.
7. Ancient Christian Tattoos Discovered in Africa
Archaeologists made a remarkable discovery in Sudan: the remains of a medieval man adorned with Christian tattoos. The design on his right foot features four Greek letters. The combination of Chi and Rho forms a Christogram, a symbolic abbreviation of Christ’s name, while Alpha and Omega represent God as the beginning and the end.
The religious artifacts were uncovered during an excavation at Ghazali, a 7th-century monastery in the Bayuda Desert. The site includes hundreds of graves spread across four cemeteries, one of which held the tattooed individual. Christianity has deep roots in Northeast Africa, introduced via Roman trade routes and later flourishing under the Kingdom of Makuria.
6. Gold Nanoparticle Tattoos on Mouse Embryo Cells
In 2023, researchers unveiled an innovative technique to embed gold into living tissue using nanoimprint lithography. U.S. engineers successfully implanted gold nanodots and nanowires into fibroblast cells extracted from a mouse embryo, marking a significant advancement in the field.
The gold-embedded mouse cells are visually striking, and this breakthrough could revolutionize healthcare. David Gracias, the study's lead, explained, 'In the future, we aim to develop sensors that can remotely monitor and control individual cells and their surroundings in real time. Such technology could enable early disease diagnosis and treatment, preventing extensive organ damage.'
5. Dutch Actress Becomes the First to Receive a Robot-Tattooed Design
Stijn Fransen, a renowned Dutch actress, achieved a unique milestone in 2021 by becoming the first person to be tattooed by a robot. Artist Wes Thomas executed the design remotely on a mannequin arm, with his movements transmitted via 5G to a robotic arm that performed the tattoo on Fransen.
The team approached the project methodically. Technologist Noel Drew spent six weeks perfecting the robotic arm, testing it on various materials, including vegetables. Sensors in the needle ensured precise depth control, preventing excessive penetration of the skin.
Although the tattoo design is simple, this pioneering achievement represents a remarkable advancement in engineering and technology.
4. Quantum Dots Serve as Vaccine Identification
In 2019, MIT researchers introduced an innovative solution for tracking vaccinations: quantum dot tattoos. Instead of relying on paper records or digital systems, which can be lost or inaccessible, especially in underprivileged regions, these tiny tattoos store vaccination data directly on the skin. Visible only under specific filters, they offer a reliable alternative.
The MIT team developed a unique ink composed of microscopic quantum dots that emit light. These dots are administered into the skin alongside vaccines, forming patterns that remain invisible under normal conditions but become detectable under infrared light. Healthcare workers can then access the vaccination records using a specialized app and filter.
Although still in its experimental phase, the quantum dot ink has shown encouraging results in rat trials. Researcher Robert Langer stated, 'This invisible technology could revolutionize data storage, biosensing, and vaccine delivery, potentially transforming healthcare, especially in developing nations.'
3. Ancient Tattoo Tools Crafted from Bird Bones
Experts have identified sharpened turkey bones unearthed from an ancient Native American burial site as the oldest tattoo tools ever found. These rudimentary instruments, dating back to 3500-1600 BC, were discovered in 1985 in Fernvale, Tennessee. However, their potential use for tattooing human skin was only recently confirmed.
The breakthrough came when researchers analyzed traces of pigment on the artifacts. Using advanced techniques, including a microscope with 140x magnification, they identified two pigments: red and black. The red pigment was iron oxide, while the black was carbon-based—both historically used in traditional tattooing.
This groundbreaking discovery indicates that the practice of body art is older than previously believed. Prior to this, the oldest known tool was a 2,000-year-old device made from cactus spines, found in Utah.
2. Mind-Reading Electrodes Tattooed onto the Human Skull
E-tattoos capable of reading brainwaves may seem like science fiction, but one tech startup is turning this concept into reality. Brain Scientific is developing a specialized tattoo composed of miniature electrodes implanted into the skull. This e-tattoo captures neural signals through a postage stamp-sized processor attached behind the ear.
Baruch Goldstein, co-founder and executive chairman, envisions his digital tattoos revolutionizing medical research. He explains that these devices could enable doctors to monitor a patient’s brain activity in real time, advancing the study of neurological disorders. Brain Scientific’s primary focus is identifying brain patterns associated with epileptic seizures.
Goldstein stated, 'Our aim is to predict when a seizure might occur. While it’s too early to determine the outcomes, our goal is to anticipate seizures accurately, allowing for timely medication that could potentially prevent them.'
1. Could Ancient Egyptian Mummy Tattoos Be Connected to Pregnancy?
The Ancient Egyptians were well-acquainted with body art, as evidenced by numerous tattooed mummies discovered over the years. Deir el-Medina, a site along the Nile, has yielded several inked remains, including two women with tattoos on their lower backs. One was found a century ago, and the other in 2019. The first had a diamond pattern above her buttocks, while the second featured designs of water and plants.
Experts suggest these tattoos may symbolize reproduction. The water and plant motifs could represent the Nile’s shores, where pregnant or menstruating women sought relief. Additional female mummies with tattoos on their necks and hips further support a connection to fertility. One mummy even bore an image of Bes, the protective deity of pregnant women, on her hip. These findings offer valuable insights into the cultural practices of ancient Egyptian society.
