.
Subscribe to our Voices Dispatches email to receive a comprehensive compilation of the most compelling viewpoints from the week.
Register for our complimentary weekly Voices e-newsletter.
Archaeologists state that the discovery of decorations on the mouths and ears of skeletons at a burial site dating back 11,000 years indicates that humans have been practicing body piercing and considering self-appearance since ancient times.
The pieces of ‘jewelry’ were discovered in southeastern Turkey.
The discovery of small, slender, and sharp rocks on various excavations in the Fertile Crescent, an area that encompasses regions of contemporary Turkey and Iraq where early humans established farming, had remained a mystery until recently.
Example of a possible application for PPN labrets and ear piercings at Boncuklu Tarla (illustration by the authors).
According to Emma Louise Baysal, a professor from Ankara University and co-author of an article on the ornaments, none of them have been discovered in their original locations on the bodies.
According to the researcher, on the Boncuklu Tarla site, all the skeletons have been found with piercings in proximity to the ear holes and lips. This provides evidence to definitively confirm their use as piercings for the first time.
A figure (figure a) featuring a skeleton with a flexed pose and an earring next to it was discovered. The photographs used are from the Boncuklu Tarla Excavation Archive and the figure was created by the authors.
The lower teeth on the skulls displayed wear consistent with the use of lower lip piercings during the individuals’ lifetimes.
She expressed that it indicates a common worry about our appearance and that these individuals also put thought into how they appeared to the public.
Beads from Boncuklu Tarla dig
Around 11,000 years ago, a community of hunter-gatherers established the site, gradually transitioning to a settlement. Ongoing excavations are taking place at Boncuklu Tarla (Beaded Field), named after the discovery of numerous beads by local farmers. To date, over 100,000 artifacts have been uncovered at this location.
According to Baysal, the excavations depict not only the origins of early societies but also draw attention to the remarkable parallels between modern humans and those of the Neolithic era. This allows us to better understand and relate to their daily lives.
“When you wear accessories, especially on your face, you may not be able to see them, but others can see them. This creates a certain image for others to perceive.”
This demonstrates that we have many similarities in various aspects.
Source: independent.co.uk
