In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, researchers have unearthed what appears to be the earliest known evidence of body piercings. A set of stud-like items, comparable to modern lip decorations, was found in a Neolithic burial site located in the southeast of Türkiye.
The excavation site of Boncuklu Tarla has made its mark for the astonishing quantity of personal ornaments uncovered. Since 2012, over 100,000 decorative items have been discovered here, revealing much about Neolithic fashion and customs.
It’s within this context that the pioneering evidence of humans adorning their skin through body piercing has come to light. Small plug-shaped ornaments, situated near the skeletal remains of the buried, suggest their use as ear and lip piercings.
“The findings offer critical insights into the piercing practices of early sedentary human societies,” shares archaeologist Ergül Kodaş, from Mardin Artuklu University in Türkiye, along with his team in their recently published study.
While we have an abundance of ancient jewelry like pendants and necklaces, the direct association of ornaments as piercings is rare due to the less common preservation of skin. However, Kodaş and his team assessed the grave items’ placement and wear patterns on the bones to establish their use as body piercings.
Though some artifacts had shifted, likely due to animal disturbance, others were found securely positioned around the head, suggesting they were ear or lip piercings. Notably, the wear on some jawbones implies the use of a labret, a flat-backed stud worn below the lip.
While earlier artifacts resembling labrets date back to 10,000 BC, the association with actual piercing practices was often speculative. Contrarily, artifacts found at Boncuklu Tarla show a direct physical relationship with the body.
Past research implies that the custom of piercings began around 6400 BC in present-day Iran and spread to Mesopotamia, eventually reaching further afield to Africa and the Americas.
The Boncuklu Tarla findings include 85 objects—crafted from limestone, flint, copper, and obsidian—used in personal ornamentation. These items were excavated from the graves of 16 adults, placed either on or near the skeletons. After careful examination, five of these objects have been dated between 10,000 to 8000 BC, signaling them as the oldest confirmed examples of human piercings.
Notably, the site does not yield ornaments of this kind associated with children, who were typically buried with beads. This indicates that piercings may have held cultural significance tied to adulthood or social standing.
The seven different types of ornaments discovered, particularly the nail-shaped earpieces with stone inlays, suggest a prevalence of ear and lip piercings, requiring significant and likely permanent modification of the body.
The presence of these adornments at Boncuklu Tarla affirms that the residents likely engaged in body modification for ear and lip ornamentation, as per the team’s conclusion.
Details of this study are found in the journal Antiquity.
FAQ
- What is significant about the Boncuklu Tarla discovery?
The discovery at Boncuklu Tarla is significant because it provides direct evidence of body piercings practices in the Neolithic period. It is currently the earliest physical evidence of such practice known to archaeology. - What were the ornaments made from?
The ornaments were made from various materials including limestone, flint, copper, and obsidian. - How old are the discovered body piercings?
Five of the 85 ornaments found in the site date back to 10,000 to 8000 BC, which makes them the oldest known examples of human body piercings. - What does the discovery suggest about Neolithic societies?
The discovery suggests that Neolithic societies practiced body modification and viewed piercings as potentially indicative of social status or adulthood.
Conclusion
The unprecedented finding at Boncuklu Tarla enriches our understanding of Neolithic culture and advances our knowledge of ancient body modification practices. The direct evidence of piercings on excavated skeletons allows for a tangible connection to the customs and social norms of early sedentary communities. These piercings, possibly signifying maturity or social status, offer a unique glimpse into the lives and identities of those who practiced them over 10,000 years ago.