News Archaeology

The oldest known tattoo tools were found at an ancient Tennessee site

Sharpened turkey leg bones may have served as tattoo needles at least 3,620 years ago

sharpened turkey leg bones used for tattoos

Two previously unearthed turkey leg bones with sharpened tips (top) are the oldest known tattooing tools. Two other turkey bones from the same site (bottom) may also have been used for tattooing but lack tips for analysis.

A. Deter-Wolf, T.M. Peres and S. Karacic/Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 2021

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Ancient tattooing tools are tough to find or even recognize as implements for creating skin designs.