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Earliest Known Body Piercings Discovered in 11,000-Year-Old Turkish Graves

Archaeologists uncover ornaments in Neolithic graves, marking a significant find in the history of body modification.

Prehistoric body piercing found in Turkey
Archaeologists at Boncuklu Tarla in southeastern Turkey unearthed artifacts that were used as body piercings.
Shown here is one of the skulls from Boncuklu Tarla as it was found in the grave, with artifacts nearby. The object labeled "a" is an ear piercing, and the one labeled "b" is a lip piercing called a labret.
Shown here are examples of seven types of labrets found at Boncuklu Tarla that were used as body piercings: Type 1: c1–3; Type 2: a1 and a4; Type 3: a2 and a3; Type 4: c4; Type 5: b1 and b2; Type 6: d1–6; Type 7: e.

Overview

  • Ornaments found in graves at the Neolithic site of Boncuklu Tarla in Turkey are believed to be the world's oldest known body piercings, dating back 11,000 years.
  • The piercings, made from materials like limestone, obsidian, and river pebbles, were found around the ears and mouths of adult skeletons, suggesting their use in coming-of-age rituals.
  • Analysis of the skeletons revealed wear on the lower incisors consistent with labret use, further confirming the ornaments' purpose as body piercings.
  • The discovery provides the earliest contextual evidence for body augmentation involving piercing in southwest Asia.
  • The findings shed light on the complex ornamentation practices and symbolic world of Neolithic people, linking modern body modification traditions to those developed over 10,000 years ago.