The ancient Thracian women covered their arms and legs with tattoos

Earlier this year Regional Historical Museum Burgas participated in the exhibition of NAIM-BAS (National Archaeological Institute and Museum - BAS) "Mirror of the past: female beauty through the ages." Among the objects representing women from the Burgas lands there were gold jewellery of a rich Thracian woman, who lived in Mesambria (present-day Nessebar) in the beginning of the III century BC.
Exquisite earrings, rings and necklaces from the ancient Thrace win our admiration for its pomp and decorations, yet it was not the only impressive part of the Thracian woman outfit. Very often, ancient Greek artists who drew on pottery, represented one obviously very important element of the exterior of the Thracian women - their tattoos. With them they decorated their whole legs, arms and neck. As a whole the meaning of tattooing refers to cult practices related to superhuman powers. Strips with straight and oblique lines, wavy patterns and zig-zag, dots, rosettes, and silhouettes of animals compose the repertoire as the tattoos usually cover the hands, the neck and the legs of the women’s figures. Parallel lines are often combined with silhouettes of animals – snakes, does and deer.
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In connection with the exhibition of female beauty through the ages, museum specialists from NAIM-BAS have created a collection of temporary tattoos with the most characteristic motifs from the bodies of the Thracians. The easy to use tattoos are a great addition to an summer outfit for events and festivals. They are applied wet and can remain for days on the skin.
"Tattoos of the Thracian women" can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Burgas at ul. Al.
Bogoridi 21. The cost of each of the models is 2 BGN.

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