Tattoos on mummies more than 5,000 years old

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

In 1991

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

Ancient Origins says that Otzi the Iceman is the tatkuink clothing 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 from small incisions in the skin, then rubbed with charcoal and herbs.

A

ccording to Live Science

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

They found many previously unknown tattoos, including multiple lines Skull hoodies Otzi's right ribcage, bringing the total number of tattoos to 61.

Many people believe that tattoos are only decorative. However, a study in the journal Inflammopharmacology suggests that tattoos can have therapeutic effects on rheumatism, arthritis or diagnose diseases. They can also delineate areas of the body for acupuncture treatment