Earliest Evidence of Human Piercing Unearthed in a Grave in Turkey

Earliest Evidence of Human Piercing Unearthed in a Grave in Turkey
(Photo: Pexels/ Luna Joie)

Piercings and tattoos have become a form of self-expression, and many are doing it today. Archaeologists have just discovered the first evidence of body piercing.

First Evidence of Body Piercing Uncovered

Archaeologists have found an assortment of stud-shaped artifacts that wouldn't appear too out of place adorning someone's lips today. The items were discovered among the tombs of a Neolithic community at Boncuklu Tarla, a historical site in Turkey famous for its remarkable assortment of unique personal adornment.

Since the settlement was originally excavated in 2012, more than 100,000 decorative artifacts have been discovered there. The most recent dig includes the earliest credible cases of body piercing.

"These artifacts offer a unique window into the use of body perforation ornaments by the inhabitants of early sedentary communities," said archaeologist Ergül Kodaş of Mardin Artuklu University in Türkiye and colleagues.

Throughout the Ice and Stone Ages, people wore exquisite pendants, necklaces, and charms, which are abundant in the archeological record.

It is less evident if an object rested on top of the skin or beneath it since fleshy tissues like the skin are rarely retained. Kodaş and associates examined the dimensions and forms of the artifacts discovered in Boncuklu Tarla, their placement within the tombs of the human remains, and wear patterns on the bones.

There were decorations that rodents had moved, but some of the newly discovered ornaments "remained lodged in position on the upper or lower surface of the skull or under the lower jaw."

A labret, a flat-backed stud worn through a piercing beneath the lower lip, can cause wear on the front side of the jawbones, as some people's jawbones are also displayed.

Findings have shown that jewelry resembling labrets dates back to 10,000 BC, or roughly 12,000 years, but this is the most convincing specimen unearthed thus far.

Approximately 6,000 BC is the latest discovery of compelling evidence supporting the use of labrets in South-West Asia. Though they weren't discovered close to the body parts through which they may have been worn, other objects strewn around Southeast Asia were assumed to be piercings based on their shape.

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Is Body Piercing Safe?

Rolf Buchholz, a German resident, currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most body piercings. He has 516 piercings throughout his body, 278 of which are on his genitalia. Buchholz, also a computer specialist, has a split tongue and tattooed eyeballs.

Body piercings can cause bacterial infections. However, they might be safe if done in a tidy and formal setting. Additionally, using dirty equipment raises the danger of developing blood-transmitted infections.

Since the procedure itself raises the danger of long-term infection, skin allergies, abscesses, inflammation or nerve damage, and persistent bleeding, even a sterile atmosphere cannot guarantee 100% safety.

When getting a body piercing, it's crucial to see a doctor, especially if you have diabetes, heart disease, are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or take herbal supplements.