Credit: David (deltron3032)

In May, 15-year-old student Ding Jinhao, carved his name into a relief at the Temple of Luxor in Egypt. It sparked international outrage, an apology from his parents, and statements from the Chinese government encouraging better tourist etiquette.

Chinese tourist scratches, "Ding Jinhao was here" into ancient Egyptian temple (PHOTO) http://t.co/17miW1coZp — HuffPostWorld (@HuffPostWorld) May 29, 2013

Maybe the angry masses on the web could use some perspective. Just look around – Egyptian ruins are covered in graffiti from visitors dating back to the ancient Romans.

Credit: Jess (hypermobility)

Napoleon's Army in Egypt In the 18th century, Napoleon's army left their mark on Egyptian antiquities.

Credit: GabeD

Credit: Aaron Morton

Temple of Dendur, New York by way of Egypt The Temple of Dendur was built in 15 BC, and was relocated to the Met in New York in 1978. Museum-goers can see ancient graffiti upclose, including early vandalism scratched into the temple walls only a few years after their construction. Other graffiti include Greek Coptic Christian inscriptions from A.D. 400, when the temple was used as a church, and the chiseled inscriptions of 19th-century travelers who left their names in the building.

Credit: Jonathan Dresner

Hagia Sohia, Istanbul Credit: John Gannon

From the 10th to 14th centuries, the Varangian Guard were the personal bodyguards of the Byzantine Emperors. The Varangians were mostly recruited from Scandinavia and were famous for their ferocity. Apparently, they could also be obnoxious tourists.

The Norse name "Halfdan" was scratched into a banister of the beautiful cathedral Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, Turkey. 1000 years later, the graffiti isn't so easy to read, but it's believed to say "Halfdan carved these runes."

Credit: Robyn Lee

Maeshowe burial mound, Scotland

Maeshowe is a Stone Age burial mound in Scotland. When it was excavated in 1861, archaeologists found evidence that they weren't the first people to venture into the tomb. The graffiti carved into the walls is regarded as one of the most famous collections of Viking runes in Europe.

Viking crusaders in Maeshowe Credit: marcus_jb1973

In the 12th century, a group of Viking crusaders on their way to the Holy Land, made a stop at Maeshowe and looted the tomb. To add insult to injury, they wrote all over the walls. Some of what they had to say: "Arnfithr Matr carved these runes with this axe owned by Gauk Trandilsson in the South land" And: "Crusaders broke into Maeshowe. Lif the earl's cook carved these runes. To the north-west is a great treasure hidden. It was long ago that a great treasure was hidden here. Happy is he that might find that great treasure. Hakon alone bore treasure from this mound" Signed "Simon Sirith"

Michelangelo's famous graffito At Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, a teenage Michelangelo is believed to have carved this profile in to a wall near the Uffizi Gallery. One version of the story is that it's a self portrait, another version says that it is the image of Michelangelo's nemesis. Years later, Uffizi would showcase his art inside the gallery as well.

Credit: Josh K (Stickbob)

Temple of Poseidon, Greece

The Greek Temple of Poseidon has been a popular tourist attraction for centuries. When the poet George Lord Byron went on a tour of Europe in 1810-11, he was moved to write a poem about the view from the temple of Cape Sounion. Place me on Sunium's marbled steep,

Where nothing, save the waves and I,

May hear our mutual murmurs sweep... Byron may also have been moved to carve his name into the base of one of the temple's columns.

Credit: Wikipedia

Chateau de Chillon Credit: Montreux Comedy Festival

Byron was a repeat offender, he apparently carved his name into a pillar of the Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva.

Credit: John Terning

A few years later in 1816, he wrote a poem inspired by his visit called The Prisoner Of Chillon about the monk François de Bonivard.

Inscription Rock, New Mexico El Morro National Monument has also been known as Inscription Rock or "A'ts'ina" meaning the "Place of writings on the rock." It was an oasis on the east- west trail through New Mexico and for centuries travelers have checked in as though it were a giant guest book.

Credit: Vicki & Chuck Rogers

Credit: Wikipedia

The conquistador Juan de Onate was the first European to write his name on the rock face at El Morro. Onate had previously led an expedition up from Mexico and across the Great Plains to Kansas. In 1605, he was leading a second expedition across New Mexico and California to the ocean. Beside his name is the date "16 de Abril del 1605" Nearby is the name "Casados 1727"

A few more examples...

Persepolis, Iran Credit: Bastian (basheem)

Credit: ferkel

Salisbury Cathedral, England Credit: surreydweller