Hipster neolithic

I readily admit to having a tattoo aversion. It is not a part of my family or tribal culture but I know that we all have different aesthetics and sensibilities so I try very hard not to judge. 

Research shows that a full 32% of all Americans are now sporting ink.

I am not sure of all the biblical underpinnings for the frowning on tattoos in the Jewish belief system but Leviticus 19:28 states:

"You shall not make any gashes on your skin for the dead or incise any marks (כתבת קעקע) on yourself; I am the Lord."

Maimonides concluded that regardless of intent, the act of tattooing is prohibited (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Idolatry 12:11).

But hey, I know Jewish people completely covered with tats, to each his own. So much for the Talmud right? 

Of course there was a wave of Jewish forearm tattoos in the 1940's but that was pretty much compulsory.

In any case, my tribe is relatively young, close to 6000 years old or so and there is now evidence that the tattoo and piercing phase extends further back. 

Otzi the Iceman had 61 tattoos adorned on his now frozen flesh back in the fourth millennium B.C., a period known as the European copper age.

He would fit in quite easily at your local goth establishment.

And new evidence that body piercing occurred 11,000 years ago, in remarkably similar body locations as it is plumbed today.

The clear upshot? 

I'm the outlier, the anomaly. 

All you tattooed hipsters with the ear gauges, typical stuff. Hate to tell you this but you're quite normal, folks have been doing it for over ten thousand years.

Try again.