Two sets of ancient tattoo tools were discovered at the Abydos site in Egypt. The first tool is best described as a sharp point set in a wooden handle dating back to 3,000 B.C. In the subsequent 1,500 years, the Egyptians created wide flattened bronze needles that when tied together created a multi-dot pattern on the skin. These are some of the earliest tattoo tools in history.
Thailand carries on its ancient tattooing techniques to this day by bestowing a spiritual symbol on the recipient known as the Sak Yant. According to the Thai Guide to Thailand, the traditional tattoo tool is a long bamboo stick with a split-sharpened point called a mai sak. Today, many foreigners travel to get these spiritual tattoos embedded on to their skin.
One style of traditional Japanese tattooing is called tebori. It is a hand process using needles tied to the end of a metal or wooden handle. The tattooist will dip the needles in ink and rhythmically press into the skin to create the tattoo. This technique is comparable to how modern tattoo artists use the tattoo gun on a patron.
The youngest country on Earth is filled with tattoo history using a tool not many others chose to use -- bone. The bone was chiseled to either be serrated or razor-sharp so it could easily cut into the skin and create a tattoo. They would gather their "ink" from burning items such as Kauri gum or caterpillars.