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Published on:

26th Mar 2021

Prehistoric Tattoo Archeology with Aaron Deter-Wolf of the Tennessee Division of Archeology

Aaron Deter-Wolf is a Prehistoric Archaeologist with the Tennessee Division of Archaeology in Nashville, where he manages ancient Native American sites on State-owned lands and conducts archaeological excavations and research. In addition to his work in Tennessee, for the past decade Aaron has been a leading researcher in developing the archaeological study of tattooing. Those efforts include using contextual analysis and microscopic use-wear signatures to identify tattooing tools in archaeological collections, efforts to systematically document tattoos on mummified human remains, and experiments recreating and testing ancient and historic tattooing implements.

In 2009 Aaron organized the first American academic symposium to examine ancient and early historic Native American tattooing, which led to the volume

Drawing with Great Needles: Ancient Tattoo Traditions of North America.

He is also co-editor of Ancient Ink: The Archaeology of Tattooing, the first-ever book dedicated to the global archaeological study of tattooing. In recent years Aaron was part of research teams that identified a 2,000-year old set of cactus spines from Utah, and 5,000-year old turkey bone needles from Tennessee. He shares information about the history of tattooing and body modification on the Instagram account @archaeologyink.

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About the Podcast

TattooNOW inspires tattooers, artists, and collectors.
Connecting with world class tattoo artists and collectors from all around the globe since the mid 90's.
Conversations with some of the worlds smartest and most inspirational tattoo artists. Hear what's on their minds, what makes for a great tattoo, how tattoos can transform someone into who they want to be, and brainstorm ways to make the world better through tattoos and the arts. The effects of our previous tattoo shows are great, attracting countless guest and resident tattoo artists as well as educated and inspired clients. A dozen interviews have been recorded and being edited at this time, with more being scheduled since the release of the pilot episode. Now is the perfect time to secure your sponsorship place in the show! Please send us your tattoo artist and painter interview requests!

About your host

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Gabriel Ripely

Computer geek, progressive businessperson, event producer, business planer, & freelancer amplifying artists, studios, and companies that are leaving a positive impact.
Gabe Ripley has been helping artists use technology to propel and secure their careers and business since the mid-nineties. After finding great success in promoting tattoo artists, Gabe's first tattoo studio opened its doors in 2005, and grew to a multimillion dollar international tattoo company, before closing in 2018. In 2007 Gabe started producing professional development events in unique locations, and now produces or co-produces a 4 day tattoo gathering, an art retreat, a 2 day conference, and numerous single day events. Event locations include resorts in Massachusetts, Colorado, New Mexico, Venice Italy, and Dublin Ireland among others. Gabe Ripley has presented at the Worldwide Tattoo Conference and taught a seminar “Building a GREAT tattoo business” at countless tattoo conventions and online.

Currently Gabe is focused on TattooNOW, which has been empowering thousands of artists with career enhancing technology and education since 1999. Before TattooNOW, Gabe had a very successful freelance programming career in the USA and in Europe. Projects included programming Smurf, The Little Prince, and Lucky Luke video games, touch-screen kiosks for Honda and the Epcot Center, and monthly business multimedia DVD-Roms narrated by Leonard Nimoy. Ripley was a founding partner in a technology company in 1996 (which still exists!). Travel has been a staple of Gabe’s business and personal life since hitch-hiking barefoot through eastern Europe in 1992. He stated programming BASIC when he was 8 years old, and dropped out of college twice but that didn’t stop him from teaching college level computer courses at age 20!

He is progressive in politics and business. Since reading Issac Asimov books growing up, thinking about vast visions as well as the impact of our actions for the short, long, and very long term has been ingrained into Gabe’s thinking. Understanding that his business is supported directly by local, national, and international communities, Gabe truly tries to directly contribute to the communities that are helping arts businesses thrive. He defines success by how much he can afford to give back, and helps produce benefit events. His mission is ultimately to make a long lasting positive impact on the world (or at least get three to four weeks vacation!). There are various articles written by and about Gabe online and in the real world via magazines, books, and podcasts as he loves to talk once someone gets him started.