Researchers from the University of Missouri at St. Louis have decoded the messages hidden in the tattoos on the bodies of mummified Egyptian women, shedding new light on ancient beliefs about protection and childbirth. This revelation comes from a study published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, offering a contemporary interpretation of a long-standing archaeological puzzle. The work illustrates how body art can serve as a form of personal safeguard, linking living rituals to the afterlife in ancient Egypt. This breakthrough was achieved through careful analysis of preserved skin and detailed documentation of the tattoos, highlighting the enduring value of interdisciplinary techniques in Egyptology.
In the 1920s, explorers uncovered the ancient settlement of Deir el-Medina, strategically situated along the Nile. Among the discoveries were two female mummies whose waists bore visible tattoo marks. The context of these finds, tucked within the workers’ community that surrounded the royal tombs, provides important clues about daily life, social roles, and the religious imagery that shaped personal identity. The excavation notes and subsequent studies contextualize these tattoos as part of a broader Egyptian tradition where inked markings carried protective and ceremonial significance for both the wearer and the family. The Deir el-Medina site has long served as a window into how ordinary people navigated beliefs about fate, fertility, and the afterlife, and the current interpretation adds depth to that narrative. — University of Missouri at St. Louis
Upon examination of the first mummy, which had no visible bandages, researchers identified lower-back designs that included depictions of bowls, a purification rite, and the figure Bes. Bes, an ancient Egyptian deity known for guarding women and children, especially during childbirth, appears repeatedly in commemorative art and amulets. The presence of Bes in these tattoos suggests a deliberate wish for divine protection during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. These motifs align with broader patterns in Egyptian tattoo practice that center on personal guardianship and the empowerment of women in the birth process. The findings add a tangible layer to the understanding of how ancient Holistic beliefs were expressed on the body as a portable sanctuary. — Journal of Egyptian Archaeology
The second mummy was in better condition and was wrapped in its funeral bindings. Researchers employed infrared imaging to examine the remains, revealing preserved details beneath the wrappings. The infrared results showed that this middle-aged woman also wore significant tattoo imagery, including the Wadjet symbol, representing the protective gaze of Horus, and Bes. The Wadjet, often seen as the eye of Horus, embodies watchful protection and royal legitimacy, while Bes reinforces the protective theme associated with childbirth. The co-occurrence of these symbols on the second mummy reinforces the hypothesis that the tattoos served a protective function for the wearer, particularly during the perinatal period. This combination of symbols underscores a coherent symbolic program across individuals that connects personal identity with broader mythic protection. — University of Missouri at St. Louis
The researchers propose that both sets of tattoos reflect a shared aim: to secure safeguarding during childbirth for those who bore them. This interpretation integrates artwork analysis with cultural neuroscience of belief, showing how ancient communities may have relied on enduring, body-based rituals to navigate the risks of childbirth. The study contributes to a wider understanding of how tattooing intersected with social identity, religious practice, and gendered experience in ancient Egypt. By connecting the imagery on the bodies to practical concerns about health, fertility, and protection, the researchers offer a richer portrait of mummified women who lived thousands of years ago. — Journal of Egyptian Archaeology