When Did Pierced Ears Originate?

Pierced ears are popular on men, women, boys and girls of all ages. Throughout history, people have pierced their ears. The origin of ear piercing is just as interesting as the people who have pierced ears.

Prehistoric Times

Ear piercing, like some other piercings, was practiced in prehistoric times. Archeologists have found artifacts suggesting prehistoric people pierced their ears with bones or sticks.

Hindu Beliefs: Ear Piercing for Health?

Hindus pierced their ears believing that they could prevent bronchial asthma, cough and TB by piercing that area of the body. In many cases, both the ears and the nostril of the nose of a child were pierced at birth.

All Cultures

All cultures have had some form of ear piercing. In some cases, it was for medical reasons; others pierced their ears for religious or social reasons. In modern cultures, it is meant more for accessorizing or decorating oneself.

Costly Ear Piercing

Ear piercing was not always a cheap process. In some Native American cultures, each ear piercing cost one horse.

Modern Piercing Methods

The modern piercing method of using a gun-type instrument to pierce an earring through the ear was invented by Inverness Corp. Their instruments pierce millions of ears around the world each year.

References

• Inverness Online
• BMEZine: Ear Piercing
• Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Resources

• ThinkQuest.Org: The History of Piercings
• The Art of Body Piercing