When Did People First Start Piercing Their Ears?

It is doubtful that there has been a civilization that did not include ear piercing in its practices, rites or daily aesthetics. Thus far, the oldest mummified body is the Iceman, which scientists believe to be 5,300 years old. This Copper Age mummy shows evidence of an ear piercing. Discovered in the Alps, the man who was 45 years old at the time of his death was thought to have lived near modern-day Austria or Italy.

Persian tribes were known to pierce the ears of their soldiers. Wall illustrations show platoons of fighters with their ears prominently pierced. Other local discoveries note that in 2500 BC, the adornment of the ears with jewelry was not uncommon even among those who were not in the warrior classes. Falling into the same period are earrings that have been recovered as burial offerings in the Biblical city of Ur. The Bible mentions the earrings of the Israelites that Moses had led out of Egypt.

During the times of the Roman Empire, pierced ears were a sign of status. Since these piercings would be in the way of the average worker, wives of patricians would usually show off their punctured ears. Roman women favored gemstones for their earrings. The Mayans, too, engaged in piercing. Favorite materials for earrings included bone fragments, pieces of wood, ivory and stones. Since they ascribed supernatural powers to some of the materials used for jewelry, it is fair to say that piercings held a ritualistic aspect germane to the religion of the time. Thus, it was involvement in the rituals rather than status that dictated who wore earrings and who did not participate in the practice.

Male European nobles of the 16th century routinely pierced their ears. Considered rakish and symbolic of virility, Spaniards and French courtiers would wear only one earring. Among female European nobles, earrings were not in great demand. Elaborate wigs and high collars made it difficult to show off this type of jewelry. Women also wore bonnets or elaborate hats, which further made earrings impractical. Body decorations therefore focused on necklaces, rings and clothing choices. In addition, there is evidence that earrings were associated with the pagan practices of so-called uncivilized tribes and therefore frowned upon by pious members of society. In some cases, earrings were also associated with outlaws such as pirates.

The popularity of piercings went down even further when in 1920 the inventor of the ear clip introduced the new way of wearing jewelry. Clips continued to become the choice of “good” girls who would abide by the norms of a more restricted society. Piercings once again became popular during America’s hippie movement. Counterculture demanded a return to the old practice of piercing versus clipping. When the punk rock movement came into existence not long thereafter, the piercings stayed and became extreme. To this day, pierced ears are so commonplace that even young girls still in the toddler years wear earrings.

Peter Suchy Jewelers located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut offers a wide variety of vintage and estate earrings and we invite you to visit our showroom.

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