Strange tattoos on the mummy of 3,000-year-old Egyptian women

The researchers found 30 exotic tattoos of lotus, baboon and the magic eye on an Egyptian woman's mummy dating back 3,000 years.

According to the International Business Times, a 3,000-year-old mummy was found in Deir el-Medina, Egypt in 2014. Based on skin soft tissue and pelvic shape, scientists determined this to be a mummy of a woman. The mummy body is decorated with complex tattoos such as lotus, cow, baboon and Wadjet's eye.

Anne Austin, a researcher at the French Oriental Archeology Institute, discovered many sophisticated drawings of ink on the mummy's neck. Austin initially thought these symbols were painted on the skin, but quickly realized they were actually tattoos. These tattoos are difficult to detect because the mummy skin becomes wrinkled over time, and has a layer of pine resin covering the outside.

Tattoos of Wadjet's eyes on mummy's neck.(Photo: Anne Austin).

In early 2016, Austin along with colleague Cedric Gobeil took X-rays and infrared images of mummy skin to get complete data on the number of tattoos on a woman's body. Total mummies have about 30 tattoos.

"Wadjet eyes are decorated on the back of the neck and the mummy shoulders. When you look at the mummy from any angle, the god's eyes will stare at you," Austin said.

Wadjet's eyes are the most obvious religious symbol. Other tattoos on mummies also have sacred meaning. Some drawings such as a cow are related to the goddess Hathor, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Hathor is the embodiment of joy, love and maternal love. This god is often described as a woman with cow's head and ears, or merely carrying a cow's shape.

Researchers say the iconic tattoo symbolizes the devotion of the dead throughout life. The mummy is most likely an important religious figure.

"This mummy is very interesting because it originated from the New Dynasty (New Kingdom) period in ancient Egypt. Many people believe that, during this time, women lose influence in the field of religion. "They are rarely honored as priests of goddesses like Hathor. The mummies on this mummy are making scientists change the way they look , " Austin said.