Tattoos on mummies more than 5,000 years old

Scientists have discovered many new tattoos on the mummified ice man Otzi, one of the oldest natural mummies known to man.

In 1991, a German tourist discovered funny hawaiian shirts Otzi the ice man preserved intact in the ice in the Oetz valley, Austria. It dates to around 3,300 BC and most likely died from a hard blow to the back of the head.

Ancient Origins claims

that Otzi the Iceman is the oldest natural mummy in Europe. The blood cells were still intact, like a modern human blood sample. One of the more surprising finds was the mummy's tattoo, with images of parallel lines and crosses. Tattoos are created by making small incisions in the skin, then using charcoal and herbs to rub on.

According to Live Science

a team of experts at the Institute of Mummies and Icemen of the Institute of European Studies used a camera with a specialized lens to examine the mummy. This digital device can record light wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared.

They discovered many previously unknow christmas outfits tattoos, including multiple lines under Otzi's right ribcage, bringing the total number of tattoos to 61.

Many people think

that tattoos are only decorative. However, a study in the journal Inflammopharmacology suggested that tattoos could have a therapeutic effect on rheumatism, arthritis, or disease diagnosis. They can also localize areas of the body for acupuncture treatment.