How far is too much when it comes to body modifications, such as tattoos and piercings. Until those who excessively tattoo and pierce realize the stigma they are placing on the art, the U.S. government should regulate where and to what extent tattoo artists can legally tattoo or pierce. To answer the question of why people tattoo, one should look back at how early civilizations made a living and their views on the world around them. Prehistoric humans may have been the first to mark the human body for practical purposes. Tens of thousands of years ago mineral pigments were used to preserve human bodies and animal skins, while also neutralizing the smell of decay. Paul G. Bahn, an archaeologist and scholar of prehistoric art, writes that "human skin, bones, teeth, and hair were the first canvases or artistic expressions" (Body Marks 17). For many decades, if not centuries, people have used henna. Henna is a small shrub known as Lawsonia Inermis. It grows in India, Pakistan, Iran and North America. Henna tattoos are practiced all over the world. The oldest reference is on a Syrian tablet from 2100 BC The Mehndi people are the ones who usually do the real henna tattooing. They draw an intricate design with henna paste, let it sit for several hours, then peel or scrape away the paste. to reveal a reddish or orange-brown pattern. Mehndi culture involves henna tattoos in large portions for many occasions, a wedding is a perfect example. Tattooing became popular among "high society" people in the late 1800s, including women and royalty in England and the United States. At first it was very popular in England and then its appeal "made the leap" to the United States. Martin H...... middle of paper ...... these people want to get a more meaningful tattoo or piercing rather than trying to be trendy and stylish. Works Cited DeMasters, Karen. “‘Body Art’ inspires regulators.” New York Times. (1997) Web. March 3, 2011. Gay, Kathlyn and Christine Whittington. Body markings: tattoos, piercings and scarifications. Brookfield: Twenty-First Century, 2002, Print.Gardyn, Rebecca and David Whelan. “Ink me, Stud.” American Demography 23(2001):12. Network. March 3, 2011.Hedly, Bernardine. "The dangerous art of tattooing." World News & Report 145 (2008):13. Premier academic source. Network. March 3, 2011.Reybold, Laura. Everything you need to know: the dangers of tattoos and piercings. New York City: Rosen, 2011. Print.Rush, John A. Spiritual Tattoo: A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Marking, and Implants. Berkeley: Frog, Ltd, 2005. Print.