Scientists have found the meaning of tattoos on Egyptian mummies.
Archaeologist at Stanford University Annie Austin was able to decipher the tattoos of ancient Egyptian women, who lived in the tenth century BC.
Feature discovered tattoos that their figures are substantial, while most well-known Egyptian tattoos represent simple geometric patterns. For example, on the woman’s throat painted eye of Horus (aka the eye of RA and Uadzhet) surrounded by a couple of monkeys. Hip women drawn Lotus flowers, on hand – image cows, which were considered sacred attributes of the goddess Hathor. On the skin of the mummy, which itself is kept pretty bad (she had no head and hands), managed to find 30 separate drawings.
Explore tattoo helped infrared spectroscopy. Although the pattern on the throat is visible to the naked eye, most of the rest of the tattoo is difficult to read due to darkening caused by balsamic composition. Using infrared light, which penetrates tissue much better visible, scientists managed to restore the original appearance of the drawings. After obtaining the raw images in their “smoothed” on the computer, taking into account the geometry of the formed during the drying of the skin folds.
According to Austin, most of the tattoos on the woman’s body had a ritual and religious character. This also applies to the cows of Hathor, eye of Horus, which was an important amulet that protected its owner. Its location on the throat could be particularly important when singing that accompanied the rituals in honor of the goddess. Interestingly, scientists managed to establish, what different tattoos were made at different ages. According to Austin, it can be considered evidence of a gradual increase in the social and religious status of women.
