| The History of Piercings | ||||||
| Throughout history people have decorated and altered the appearance of their bodies in many different ways. Body piercing is one of the oldest and most interesting forms of body modifications. There have been many changes in earrings over the years. In earlier days, people would wear materials they found in and on the ground such as sticks and bones. In 17th and 18th centuries, people would wear pearl drop earrings. In the 20th centuries, people have developed screws and clips. We now have gems, cameos, and diamonds. Were earrings worn by both male and females? Why did these ancient people wear gold bulls as adornments? Many archeologists and anthropologists are always seeking answers for questions such as this. In Alaska the Tlingits would get a piercing to show their ranks in society. What kind of family you were born into ranks you. If you had rich parents you would have a higher rank, you would have a lower rank if at all any rank for a poor family. Even thought a person could not make his rank better, he could raise his children, and the children in his family in the future. All he had to do was host a potlaching. A potlaching is a community feast. During a potlaching a person would pay another person to pierce their child's ear rims. The latest cultive piercing trend in some American cities is to stretch the earlobes in order so they can accommodate ear-spools and earplugs.
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