Emily Poelina-Hunter

‘Cycladic Sculptures Decorated with Abstract Painted Motifs: Representations of Tattooing in the Prehistoric Aegean’ (PhD in Classics & Archaeology, 2019).

In historical literature pertaining to Cycladic sculptures, several writers suggest that some of the painted motifs on the surface of these marble sculptures may represent tattoos. This thesis seeks to undertake the first systematic research into answering the question: ‘Did Cycladic islanders practice tattooing and is this reflected in the abstract painted motifs on Cycladic sculptures?’ Comparisons to the painted motifs on Egyptian potency figurines are supporting evidence for the hypothesis that Cycladic islanders were in contact with tattooed people that created figurines with tattoos. An overview of tattooing in ancient and traditional cultures around the globe is presented in order to shed light on the reasons why tattooing is practised and why particular motifs are chosen. Descriptions of the methods employed to create the tattoos in these cultures also present the reader with the ability to recognise comparative tattooing instruments in Cycladic material culture.

Supervisors: Professor Louise Hitchcock, Professor Tony Sagona