Tattoo history exhibition

Tattoos may be currently fashionable, but a new exhibition at Newcastle University’s Museum of Antiquities is shedding light on what many may not realise is an ancient art.

The exhibition, Tattoo, running until December 21 2006, explores the history of tattooing in Britain and reveals some of the meanings behind symbols traditionally etched into the skin. It also demonstrates that some form of ‘body art’ has been practised in the British Isles for thousands of years.

Research has shown that Roman soldiers based at Hadrian’s Wall would have had a military tattoo, and the exhibition even explains the technique they would have used.

Full article here. The museum's website is here, and includes other goodies such as the Virtual Mithraeum.

Posted by David on September 1, 2006 10:17 AM