The impression of manly, strong, and macho Behind the Tattoo Symbols on Ancient Egyptian Mummies

Scientists have discovered the world's oldest tattoo – hidden in an Ancient Egyptian mummy that has been on display for 100 years at the British Museum. Previously, scholarly works and museum visitors had noticed a faint dark stain on the man's right arm. Recently, however, infrared tests revealed that the marks were tattoos depicting two animals: namely, a giant wild bull and a North African wild goat.

Apparently, the man used his tattoo to give the impression of manly, strong, and macho. In ancient times, both types of animals were often associated with strength, virility, and male fertility.

Both animals were tattooed onto a man's arm about 5,200 years ago. Art tests showed that the tattoo was made with a carbon-based pigment, likely from soot.

The bull depicted in the tattoo represents the now extinct species of giant wild bull, the aurochs. They are greatly respected, admired, and often revered throughout the world.

Aurochs pioneered many great bull legends in ancient times – such as the Cretan Minotaur, Mesopotamian Bull of Heaven and Anatolian stories. In Ancient Egyptian belief, there were three bull gods who symbolized fertility and war.

Another animal in the tattoo, the goat-like creature is known as the Barbary sheep. They are also often associated with male virility.

British Museum

In ancient times, these animals were associated with masculine sexuality. In Greek mythology, they are depicted as the erotic Pan, the god of the wild. In Ancient Egypt, this goat was sometimes considered an ancient power associated with procreation. And of course, there were three sheep gods in Egypt that had to do with fertility and creation.

There are at least 14 mummies in Egyptian, Canadian and Italian museums. They will be tested via infrared technology to find other ancient tattoos. Until this latest discovery, the oldest tattoo in the British Museum is known to date from 2000 BC – 1200 years later from the tattoo on the mummy's arm.

Just as in modern times, tattoos were a real global phenomenon in ancient times. The discovery of this tattoo on an Egyptian mummy is an interesting addition to the artistic world of the ancient world.nkstock

The mummy was first discovered 100 years ago in an Ancient Egyptian cemetery in Gebelein.

According to Daniel Antoine, lead researcher and curator of the British Museum, the use of the latest scientific methods, including CT scans, radiocarbon and infrared imaging, has changed our understanding of the Gebelein mummy.

“Only now are we gaining new knowledge about the lives of these preserved individuals. Incredibly, at over five thousand years old, they are pushing back the evidence for tattoos," he said.

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