3,000 Year Old Tattooed Priestess Discovered in Egyptian Tomb

Approximately four years ago, a mummified torso with a substantial amount of tattoos was discovered at the Luxor tomb. Today, Egyptian officials believe that the body belonged to a female religious figure who lived between the years 1300 and 1070 BCE—dying around the ages of 25 to 35 years old. 

After examining the tattoos on her bodies, authorities were able to determine that she was someone who performed magical rituals—as evidence of the complex religious symbolism ornamenting her skin. 

More than 30 tattoos were found around the woman’s shoulders, arms, back and chest—with experts able to spot images of lotus flowers, baboons and Horus eyes. The figural tattoos covering her body helped experts to determine the time period she dies, as these types of tattoos came into fashion approximately 5,000 years ago. Before this time, tattoo art in ancient Egypt mainly consisted of simple dots and lines.

These complex, religious tattoos have sparked some debate in anthropology communities—as many women were not permitted to become religious leaders in ancient Egypt. Therefore, if she was not a priestess herself, these tattoos may have been given to her as part of a magical healing ritual. 

What are your thoughts on this example of ancient body art? What do you think your tattoos will look like in 3,000 years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section on Facebook.