For all of human history, we have made permanent marks on our skin. The oldest preserved tattooed skin that survives is European: Ötzi, the famous ‘Iceman’ mummy, whose body is covered in small tattoo marks, allows us a brief glimpse into the pre-history of the practice. Since then, people in every corner of the world have decided to tattoo themselves, and countless cultures have performed this ancient artistic practice. But for the most part, these fascinating histories remain stubbornly untold. With access to a wealth of new and unreported material, Dr Matt Lodder, one of the world’s foremost experts in tattooing, will reveal what tattoos – and the people who wore them – tell us about a changing world. Painted People is a beguiling and intimate look at this untold history of humanity.