Okay, so why exactly did folks in ancient times start doing body art?

And why is it so popular today?

What motivated us then and now?

A 5,000-year-old mummy has offered some clues on what the old motivation was.

I'm Patty Steele. A surprising look into the emotional and physical reasons we ink our bodies.

That's next on the backstory. and physical reasons we ink our bodies.

That's next on the backstory.

We're back with the backstory.

Tattoos are everywhere now. intricate sleeves to tiny minimalist designs

little flowers they're a form of self-expression that's accepted and even celebrated

all over the world.

But it wasn't always that way.

The story of tattoos through history is a tale of rebellion, art, culture, and transformation,

as well as health, believe it or not. It's been used to celebrate people

and to stigmatize them. What about you? Do you think body art is a way to share a little

bit of who you are with the rest of the world.

Or maybe you have a tiny discreet tattoo in a spot nobody can see except you and maybe you're

insiders.

Or just maybe you totally don't get the whole tattoo thing and wouldn't dream of getting one.

But tattooing didn't start out simply as self-expression.

There were physical, societal, and spiritual reasons behind it.

So what's the first tattoo we have evidence of?

...