Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking

by Chris Rainer and Chris Rainier

From the street gangs of East Los Angeles to the Maori of New Zealand, this volume covers 30 countries to visually document the age-old, ritualized act of painting, carving, incising or etching upon the canvas of the human form.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965922723
• ISBN13: 9780965922722
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Media 27, Inc.
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 5.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant

Ancient Marks contains absolutely stunning photography. It was great to see some rock markings from Western Aus. This book delievered way more than i expected. It is so beautiful i was wasnt sure how to turn the pages without touching them and getting marks all over them. I was absolutely blown away at the quality Great stuff

Another Masterpiece

This is truly a wonderful book. Rainier's other book, "Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea" was fabulous in its presentation and images, but this book goes one better with a dvd enhanced with music by Anoushka Shankar which can be viewed on its own. The music perfectly complements the starkness of the haunting images. Tattoos,scarification, and other bodily modifications of many cultures are showcased here without calling unecessary attention to these adornments as bizarre/freakish as in some other books which are designed to shock/titillate.

Outstanding tattoo and body marking portraits

Beautifully photographed portraits of wearers of tattoos and body markings in many locations around the world. A must for the library of anyone interested in the topic.

Awesome book by a great photographer

I bought this book as a gift for my girlfriend but stole it back. It isn't all about tattoos, which it may lead you to believe, but includes bits about all types of body modification techniques. The photographer is a well known National Geographic photographer, and his work certainly doesn't fail here. Good coffee table book if you have stuck up inlaws like I do that would be made uncomfortable by the sight of it.

Absolutely stunning!

The subtletly and artistry of this book is apparent from the very first turn of a page. Chris Ranier, one of the world's foremost documentary photographers, has created a artful, evocative record of the human canvass posed against the natural landscape. The photographs focus mostly on tattoing and scarification, and are oriented toward the tribal, both traditional and modern. This is an essential addition to any body art library, and at less than $30, the paperback version (which also includes a DVD) is a real bargain. I cannot recommend this enough.