Convict Tattoos

From the author of The A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land, Convict Tattoos offers a unique look into the tattoos of convict men and women. With 37% of male and 15% of female convicts tattooed by the time they arrived in the colonies, this book explores the symbolism, methods, and meanings behind these markings. Drawing from detailed records, Simon Barnard uncovers a fascinating history of tattoos as both a tool of control and a form of individual expression among Australia’s early settlers.