Tattoo History - Russia

In the middle of the 1950's mummies with tattoos were discovered in Russia which show how highly developed the art of tattooing was in Russia. At the Ukuk Plateau, in the north of Russia, the 2.400 year old corpse was found and on her arms and shoulders she was decorated with artful tattoos of birds, deer and other mythical animals. She is still the oldest tattooed woman known. The tattoos were applied by pricking grime in the skin with a needle made of a bone. She probably was a warrior or a teller of tribal stories and was probably very well distinguished in her tribe called the Pazyryker. The most extensive illustrations had a Pazyryker chieftain. With fable creatures and animals he clarified his position within a clan.

Other than that very little has been passed down of the traditional old rituals and cultures in Russia lastly because of the communist regime that destroyed more of the culture than to preserve it in the late 20th century. Also the effort of the central party to suffocate every spark of individuality and therefore any artistic creativity didn't even permit an art form like body painting. Tattoos were mostly used by the military to brand mark delinquents who were then sent to the icy downs of Siberia to be never seen again.

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