Excavations at the Neolithic settlement of Boncuklu Tarla, situated in Mardin’s Dargeçit district, have revealed a collection of stud-shaped objects reminiscent of contemporary body piercings. This discovery is potentially the earliest evidence of body piercing, shedding light on the adornment practices of ancient communities and emphasizing the early use of body adornments among sedentary societies.
Archaeologist Ergül Kodaş from Mardin Artuklu University, who published the findings in Antiquity magazine, notes the significance of these artifacts in providing insight into the use of body piercing ornaments by ancient settlers. While previous archaeological records mainly feature pendants, necklaces, and charms, the discovery of body piercings at Boncuklu Tarla is particularly noteworthy.
Kodaş and the excavation team examined the size, shape, and positioning of the objects within the graves at Boncuklu Tarla. Despite some artifacts being displaced, others remained near human remains, particularly around the ears and jaws.
The unearthed ornaments, including those resembling labrets worn beneath the lower lip, provide compelling evidence of early body piercing practices. While similar pieces dating back to 10,000 B.C. have been discovered, this finding represents the most definitive example to date. Body piercing seems to have been a significant cultural practice in southwest Asia, with evidence dating back to approximately 6,000 BC. The practice likely spread through Mesopotamia and eventually reached other regions, including Africa, Central, and South America.
