Archaeologists have uncovered what could be the oldest known tattooing tools linked to the ancient Maya civilization. Found at Actun Uayazba Kab, also known as Handprint Cave, in central Belize, the two stone artifacts appear to have been used for puncture-style tattooing, a method prevalent among many Indigenous cultures long before the invention of modern tattoo machines.
The tools, identified as burin spalls, are small flakes of chert—a fine-grained stone. These pieces have been shaped into sharp points and show traces of soot-based ink, suggesting they were used for tattooing. Dating back to the Classic Maya period (CE 250–900), the tools were discovered in a ceremonial context within the cave, which the Maya considered sacred, symbolizing life, death, and the underworld.
While it has long been known that the Maya practiced tattooing—an account by Spanish conquistadors even describes people adorned with tattoos symbolizing bravery, beauty, or punishment—no tools for tattooing had ever been found until now. Traditional artwork frequently depicts individuals with intricate geometric designs on their bodies, yet due to the region’s tropical climate, no preserved tattooed skin from the Maya people has ever been discovered.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers replicated the burin spalls and used them to tattoo fresh pig skin, which is considered the closest biological match to human skin. The wear patterns on the experimental tools matched those on the ancient artifacts. Microscopic analysis revealed pigmented residues consistent with tattoo ink and wear marks from repeated use on soft tissues, such as skin and fresh hide, as opposed to harder materials like bone or wood.
The tools were discovered on a ledge above a travertine pool in the cave, in proximity to human remains and ritual items such as jade and obsidian. This suggests the tattooing may have had a ceremonial or social function, possibly reserved for high-ranking individuals or sacred occasions. Intriguingly, the researchers believe the tools were intentionally broken as part of a ritual before being deposited in the cave.
In a study published in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica, the researchers argue that tattooing among the ancient Maya was not simply decorative, but a deeply cultural activity tied to identity, status, and religious beliefs. “The skin served as a social canvas,” they wrote.
Though many aspects of Maya tattooing remain unknown, the discovery of these tools provides new insight into how the ancient Maya used their bodies as a form of expression, memory, and power.
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