Tattooing has exicted as long as there has been humans on earth. The first "tattoos" were probably discovered by small wounds with ashes, that when it healed left a mark in the skin. After a while they learned to use this to make patterns. The first tools may have been thorns, sharp teeth or simular objects. The first needles that we know has been used for tattooing was found in Egypt and was used in the years 2686 - 2493 B.C.

The earliest proof of tattoos on a human was discovered on the famous iceman Ötzi, who was found on the border between Austria and Italy. The iceman died 5300 years ago (3000 B.C.) He had a total of 58 different tattoos in simple patterns. Scientist still discuss if they was made for a healing or if they were ornaments for social status. 

Another mummy is the egyptian priestess Amunet who lived around the years 2160 - 1994 B.C. The mummy is well preserved and has paralell lines tattooed on her arms and thighs. She also has patterns on her stomack. 

The Pazyryk Chief is also a mummy whos was discovered with fantastic tattoos.The Pazyryk people was warriors who lived in the eastern Europe and west Kina from 600 to 200 B.C. The chief was about 50 years old when he died and had many tattoos of fantasy animals. There is also discovered a female mummy in the same area from ca 400 B.C. with the same patterns as the chief.

In Europe we know the tradition with the sailor tattoos best. Motifs like hearts, roses, anchors... But the tattoos goes further back. In the year 1100 the arab Ibn Fadlan wrote of a meeting with some vikings who were rude, filthy and full of drawings on their body. It was also common that the crusaders made a memory tattoo of the crusades they were in. The Picts in England was most likely got their name because of their tattoos. In the year 787 Pope Hadrian forbid tattooing, because it was connected to superstition and hedens. This is the reason that tattoos disappeard from Europe and wasn't discovered again before sailors brought it back in the end of 1700. It was Captain Cook who in the late 1700 brought the word tattoo back to England. The word is from Tahiti and comes from the word ta-ta-u. In the year 1862 the Prince of Wales got a tattoo of the "Jerusalem Cross" on his arm. Later, as King Edvard VII he had a collection of tattoos. Because of this tattooing was popular with the aristocrats around the year 1890.

In most arabic countries it is normal that women is tattooed, but it is hard to see as they usually is covered when they are out in public.

In Africa where the people has black skin, they use scarification instead of tattooing. The patterns usually follows local traditions, and they often start when they are babies.

Tattooing did not start one place in the world and then spread. Every part of the world has had some kind of tattooing. Wanting a tattoo is considered a primal need that all people have. But not everyone has discovered it yet.