In modern, post-colonial times, we live with the belief that tattoos are a symbol of criminality, lawlessness, and in many cases, slavery. Flooded with all these negative connotations, it’s no wonder tattoos have been regarded for decades (even centuries) as an undesirable marker.
Yet we are young, and back when the world was young(er) also, tattoos held quite a different meaning. The Ukok discoveries of 1993, for instance, offer priceless insight into ancient civilizations, and how they reasoned. The Ukok Princess (also referred to as the Ice Maiden of Altai) was a young Pazyryk woman now believed to have died of a cancer, whose body was discovered in nigh pristine condition. As were, of course, her intricate tattoos.