Ancient Tattoos Linked To Healing Rituals Summary
Anthropology in the News – Cultural/Archeology
Ancient Tattoos Linked to Healing Rituals
October 2010, Jo Marchant
In the article “Ancient Tattoos Linked to Healing Rituals” written by Jo Marchant in October 2010, there had been a discovery on a 1000-year-old Peruvian female mummy. She was found buried in southern Peru with her wrapping removed in the desert at Chiribaya Alta. Unexplained circle tattoos comprised of burnt plant substance were found. Consequently, this discovery had raised theories that these tattoos may have been a likely “ancient healing practice” that may be related to acupuncture. Maria Anna Pabst of the Medical University of Graz in Austria used microscopy and spectroscopy to examine the tattoos. Since the tattooed neck circles contained a plant material instead of ash or soot, Pabst suggests that these tattoos were most likely part of a healing or strengthening practice. The tattooed circles are near what is known to be Chinese acupuncture points. By receiving tattoos at these points, there are comparable health benefits that are similar to what acupuncture offers. By stimulating these points, it is thought to help the body 's natural healing capabilities and improve its function (Watson, 2007, Para. 2). Also, Pabst suggests that it is likely that the type of plants used in the tattoo would have had medicinal traits. These tattoos may have had a purpose to relax and relieve neck pain. …show more content…
These places have had a cultural influence in Western medicine because of the positive natural healing benefits these holistic approaches include. It also may be associated with the class system, which deals with the social and political organizations in cultural anthropology. In addition to cultural anthropology, it also deals with Archeology because the ancient mummy had been
Ancient Tattoos Linked to Healing Rituals
October 2010, Jo Marchant
In the article “Ancient Tattoos Linked to Healing Rituals” written by Jo Marchant in October 2010, there had been a discovery on a 1000-year-old Peruvian female mummy. She was found buried in southern Peru with her wrapping removed in the desert at Chiribaya Alta. Unexplained circle tattoos comprised of burnt plant substance were found. Consequently, this discovery had raised theories that these tattoos may have been a likely “ancient healing practice” that may be related to acupuncture. Maria Anna Pabst of the Medical University of Graz in Austria used microscopy and spectroscopy to examine the tattoos. Since the tattooed neck circles contained a plant material instead of ash or soot, Pabst suggests that these tattoos were most likely part of a healing or strengthening practice. The tattooed circles are near what is known to be Chinese acupuncture points. By receiving tattoos at these points, there are comparable health benefits that are similar to what acupuncture offers. By stimulating these points, it is thought to help the body 's natural healing capabilities and improve its function (Watson, 2007, Para. 2). Also, Pabst suggests that it is likely that the type of plants used in the tattoo would have had medicinal traits. These tattoos may have had a purpose to relax and relieve neck pain. …show more content…
These places have had a cultural influence in Western medicine because of the positive natural healing benefits these holistic approaches include. It also may be associated with the class system, which deals with the social and political organizations in cultural anthropology. In addition to cultural anthropology, it also deals with Archeology because the ancient mummy had been