10 Ancient Body Modification Practices

Scarification, or cicatrisation, is the cutting, burning, or slicing of skin to attain raised scars. The scars are sometimes rubbed with caustic liquids or charcoal to make them more prominent.

In the archaeological record, evidence of this is seen through artwork as human skin is rarely preserved. The earliest appearance of it is seen on two fertility goddess figurines from 8,000 BC in Ain Ghazal, Jordan. They both had scars running across their butts and abdomens.

A rock painting from 7,000 BC in Tassili N'Ajjer, Algeria, depicts a horned goddess with scarification on her shoulders, breasts, stomach, thighs, and calves. Further prehistoric images have been found in West and Central Africa.

Historical records show that scarification was also present in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and North, South, and Central America. There were a wide variety of reasons behind the practice, including displaying social and political status or family and group ties, achieving greater beauty, showing strength by handling the pain, or undergoing rites of passage.