The tattoos were small lines, made by rubbing powdered charcoal into cuts, along the lower back, ankles, knees, and a foot. Experts from the Smithsonian believe the tattoos were used as an effective treatment for pain.

Indigenous people like antineutrons used the characteristic hafted skin-puncturing technique, using a small mallet and a piercing implement made from Citrus thorns, fish bone, bone, and oyster shells. Ancient tattooing traditions have also been documented among Papuans and Melanesians, with their use of distinctive obsidian skin piercers.

Egyptian tattoos were done in a similar way to good old icemen. As opposed to ink, soot was used and small bronze instruments consisting of sets of needles would make the incision. These were found in northern Egypt and date back to 1450 BC, making them the oldest confirmed tattooing tools ever found.