Unkindest Cut Who invented Scalping
Unkindest Cut The article, “The Unkindest Cut, or Who Invented Scalping” discusses the controversy surrounding the question of who did indeed invent scalping, white Europeans or Native Americans. A popular belief throughout American history is that scalping was introduced by Native Americans who scalped white Europeans trying to seize their native land. Axtell explains that in recent years a new theory of the evolution of scalping has become quite popular. This theory holds that white Europeans, not Native Americans, first introduced scalping in the New World. ... To being with, the evidence which bases the argument for whites initiating scalping is presented. This evidence attempts to back up the argument Native Americans first learned of scalping when white Europeans offered bounties on head of other Native Americans. ... ” (Axtell, 452) In the 1960s and 70s there were examples given up televison reporters and personalities stating that scalping had indeed started with white Europeans.