Advanced Imaging Reveals Intricate 1,200-Year-Old Tattoos on Peruvian Mummies

Laser-stimulated fluorescence uncovers fine-line tattoos from the Chancay culture, offering new insights into ancient artistic and cultural practices.

Researchers used laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) to reveal detailed tattoos on mummified remains from Peru's Chancay culture, dating back 1,200 years.
The tattoos, featuring geometric and zoomorphic designs, demonstrate a level of intricacy and precision that rivals modern tattooing techniques.
The findings suggest Chancay tattoos carried significant cultural or spiritual meaning, comparable to their pottery and textiles in artistic detail.
The tattoos were likely created using tools such as cactus needles or sharpened animal bones, with lines as fine as 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters wide.
This groundbreaking study highlights the potential of LSF technology to uncover hidden details in ancient body art, opening doors for further research on mummies worldwide.