Study of 5,400 Year Old “Ice Man” Mummy Finds Acupuncture Tattoos Matching His Ailments
A 5,400-year-old mummified man found in 1991 in a melting glacier in the mountains of Northern Italy bears a complicated system of bluish-black tattoos running along his back, right knee and left ankle, in the form of simple stripes or crosses that closely match Acupuncture locations.
Although the discovery of the oldest preserved human being ever found has had tremendous archaeological value, the tattoos so intrigued scientific investigators that experts from three Acupuncture societies were asked to examine the locations of the tattoos.
Nine tattoos were identified as being located directly on, or within six millimeters of, traditional Acupuncture points. Two more were located on an Acupuncture Meridian. One tattoo was used as a local point. The remaining three tattoos were situated between 6-13mm from the closest Acupuncture point, but later studies revealed that the mummy’s skin had been twisted by pressure from the glacier, which could mean these tattoos were actually exactly on the Acupuncture points.
This could mean that Acupuncture was practiced more than 2,000 years before its supposed origins in China, and in a different part of the world.
Tattoos Match Mummy’s Physical Problems
Even more amazing, studies of the ice man’s body reveal that the tattooed Acupuncture points are those that would treat his major ailments. Forensic studies show he suffered from arthritis in the hip joints, knees, ankles and lumbar spine, and nine of the mummy’s 15 tattoos are located on the meridian commonly associated with treating back pain. In fact, one of the mummy’s crossshaped tattoos is located on point UB60, which is considered by several texts a “master point for back pain.”
Forensic analysis also revealed that his intestines were filled with whipworm eggs, which can cause severe abdominal pain. Five tattoos corresponded with points that are traditionally used to treat stomach disorders.
“The fact that corresponding groups of points were marked by tattoos, not randomly selected points, seems especially intriguing,” the researchers noted. “From an acupuncturist’s viewpoint, the combination of points selected represents a meaningful therapeutic regimen.”
“Taken together,” the scientists added, “the tattoos could be viewed as a medical report from the stone age, or possibly as a guide to self-treatment marking where to puncture when pains occur.”
Named Otz, after the valley in which it was discovered, the mummy was remarkably well preserved, as were most of his clothing, tools and weapons. Scientist have examined the mummy’s remains thoroughly, learning much about the everyday life of ancient Europeans.