Significance

• Tattooing in ancient Polynesia served as a form of personal expression. Polynesians wore tattoos to celebrate and show pride in their culture, and as an indication of social status.
  
  

Technique

• The Polynesians' tattooing tool is a comb-like device with needles made from turtle shells. An artist would tap on the tool with a stick to inject the ink into an individual's skin.
  
  

Time Frame

• Tattooing in ancient Polynesia was a very long process. Sessions occurred every day for hours at a time. It could often take two or three months to complete an entire design.
  
  

Dangers

• Ancient Polynesians who received tattoos endured a tremendous amount of pain. They were also at risk of contracting an infection which in some cases led to death.
  
  

Decline

• Tattooing among ancient Polynesians began to decline when European missionaries reached their lands during the 19th century. Labeling tattoos as "barbaric," Christian missionaries fought hard to suppress the practice.