The discovery of ancient Egyptian tattoos on female mummies has opened a new chapter in our understanding of body art in early civilizations. A recent study by Marie-Lys Arnette of the University of Missouri at Saint Louis and Anne Austin of Johns Hopkins University, published in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, provides fascinating insights into the tattoos found on the bodies of women who lived thousands of years ago. Their findings suggest that tattoos in ancient Egypt may have had significant cultural, religious, and protective meanings, particularly related to childbirth and femininity.
The site of this discovery, Deir el-Medina, was an ancient Egyptian village located near the Nile River. First uncovered in the 1920s, this settlement was home to the skilled workers and artisans who built the elaborate tombs of Egyptian royalty during the New Kingdom period, approximately 1550 to 1070 BC. Unlike many other ancient communities, Deir el-Medina was well-organized, featuring planned streets and designated living spaces for its inhabitants. Over the decades, archaeologists have explored the site extensively, uncovering valuable information about the daily lives, social structures, and religious practices of the people who lived there.
During their research at Deir el-Medina, Arnette and Austin focused on studying two female mummies that had been removed from separate tombs in the village. The first mummy had been looted in antiquity and was found unwrapped, allowing researchers to closely examine its preserved skin. They discovered a tattoo depicting a bowl, a purification ritual, and an image of Bes, an Egyptian deity known for his protective role, particularly in safeguarding women and children during pregnancy and childbirth. The presence of these symbols strongly indicated that the tattoo held a significant meaning, likely related to protection during childbirth.
The second mummy presented a different challenge as it remained wrapped. Modern archaeology avoids unwrapping mummies to preserve their integrity, so researchers employed infrared photography to examine the remains. This advanced technique revealed another tattoo on the mummified body of a middle-aged woman. The tattoo featured a wedjat (Eye of Horus), another depiction of Bes—this time adorned with a feathered crown—and a zigzag line beneath the symbols. In ancient Egyptian iconography, the wedjat was a symbol of protection, health, and restoration, often associated with divine safeguarding. The zigzag line likely represented water or marshes, which were places where people sought relief from heat and physical discomfort, particularly during labor and childbirth.
The researchers propose that these tattoos served a spiritual or ritualistic purpose, possibly acting as protective charms for women experiencing childbirth. In ancient Egyptian culture, pregnancy and childbirth were perilous times, often requiring spiritual intervention. The goddess Taweret, another deity linked to childbirth, and Bes were commonly invoked for their safeguarding abilities. The presence of their representations in tattoo form suggests a deeply personal and possibly sacred connection between the bearer and the divine forces they sought for protection.
Further supporting this idea, clay figurines discovered at Deir el-Medina also depict women with tattoos on their lower backs and upper thighs, often featuring images of Bes. These figurines indicate that the practice of tattooing, particularly in connection with childbirth and female fertility, may have been widespread among women in the community.
The significance of these findings extends beyond their immediate cultural context. Ancient tattooing in Egypt has long been a subject of interest, yet direct evidence on mummified bodies has been rare. Previous discoveries of tattoos in ancient Egyptian burials have mostly been associated with figurines, paintings, or indirect references in historical texts. This research, however, provides clear physical proof of tattooing practices and suggests that women in ancient Egypt may have used body art as a form of spiritual protection, ritual expression, or social identity.
The findings challenge earlier assumptions that tattooing in ancient societies was primarily decorative or used to mark marginalized individuals. Instead, it appears that tattoos in Deir el-Medina had deep cultural and religious significance, likely tied to important life events such as childbirth. These tattoos may have been created with the belief that the images provided protection, ensured a safe delivery, or honored deities who played a role in the well-being of mothers and children.
This discovery also highlights the technological advancements in archaeology, such as infrared imaging, which allow researchers to study mummies without physically altering them. These non-invasive techniques are crucial in preserving ancient remains while still uncovering new details about past civilizations.
Beyond its archaeological implications, this research adds to the growing global history of tattooing as a meaningful human practice. From the Ötzi the Iceman tattoos of the Copper Age to Polynesian tattoo traditions, body art has served various purposes—ranging from spiritual and medicinal to decorative and status-related. The tattoos found in Deir el-Medina reinforce the idea that tattooing has long been a part of human culture, often carrying profound symbolic meanings.
More information: Anne Austin et al, Of Ink and Clay: Tattooed Mummified Human Remains and Female Figurines from Deir el-Medina, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology (2022). DOI: 10.1177/03075133221130089