In Turkey, archaeologists have made a significant discovery that links ancient facial piercings directly to the individuals who adorned them.
For the first time, personal decorations, such as objects resembling earrings believed to be used for piercings, have been found with clear connections to the body parts they decorated. These findings come from Neolithic or late Stone Age communities across southwest Asia, with some dating back 12,000 years. However, until now, there was no direct evidence linking these objects to their specific use as piercings.
Recent excavations at Boncuklu Tarla, an archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, have uncovered burials with piercing ornaments placed near the ears and mouths of the deceased. The analysis shows dental wear on the lower incisors of these remains, dating back about 11,000 years, which matches wear patterns seen from labrets—ornaments often worn below the lower lip.
This discovery marks the first direct association of facial piercings with the body parts they adorned in Neolithic people from southwestern Asia, as reported in the journal Antiquity. The findings also suggest that wearing such piercings was a common practice in the early Neolithic period.
Interestingly, these ornaments were found exclusively near adult remains, hinting that piercings might have signified coming-of-age rituals within these ancient communities.
Anthropological archaeologist Dusan Boric, not involved in the study, highlighted the significance of these findings in understanding Neolithic coming-of-age rituals, noting the lack of comparable examples.
Boncuklu Tarla, occupied by hunter-gatherers from around 10,300 BC to 7100 BC, has yielded a remarkable number of decorative artifacts since its first excavation in 2012—around 100,000 to date. Dr. Emma L. Baysal, a coauthor of the study, emphasized the site’s unique abundance of adornments, including beads, necklaces, bracelets, and ornaments for ear and lip piercings.
Labrets, still worn in some cultures today, were crafted in various shapes and sizes from materials like flint, limestone, copper, and obsidian. The study classified 85 ornaments as piercings, with seven distinct types identified based on their shape.
While some labrets were found dislodged, likely by rodents, others remained in position near or on the skulls, providing robust evidence of their use as piercings in life.
The absence of such ornaments near children’s remains suggests that facial piercings were reserved for adults, possibly reflecting social status, age, or societal roles.
Baysal and Dusan both emphasized the importance of body decoration in expressing identity and community, a practice that connects us with our Neolithic ancestors.
This discovery not only sheds light on the personal and social practices of Neolithic peoples but also offers a glimpse into the human desire for expression that transcends time.