TattoosTattoos
| There are a few comments from the Romans, and
in particular Caesar, refering to the fact that some warriors painted themselves
blue.That is not to say that they painted patterns, but in the strictest
sense just plain blue (all over?? we do not know!).
We know from finds in the far reaches of eastern Europe, that tattooing was also practiced. There is no evidence in Britain or Gaul for tatoos though. Modern stories say that woad was used, but Caesar comments that one pigment is vitrum, which is a natural glass sillicate containing Potassium, Aluminium, and Cobalt. This was possibly ground down to a powder and mixed with fat, then smeared on the skin. Traces of copper compounds have been found on the torso of Lindow Man, which is a blue/green colour. Having done some experiments with woad dye, it has been found that it will not stain the skin, as it is an indigo dye and does not produce a hard pigment. The dye is not visible in the vat, and only on the removal of the material (wool, linen etc) from the vat does it reacts to oxygen and turn blue! The Problem of the Woad by Kym ní Dhoireann For more on woad, see Dyes However improable woad paint is................. Have a giggle at this....Sing it to 'Men of Harlech'
|
