The recent studies have revealed that a woman from colonial Indonesia had injuries corresponding with execution-style violence. These wounds which were associate with accusations of witchcraft could probably be due to enslavement or capture.
The study of the woman’s skull, the only remaining part of her body, indicates that she died between 26 and 42 years old.
The skull, discover by Airlangga University researchers in 1935, was found on Biak Island in Papua Province, Indonesia.
The analysis showed sharp force injuries on both the frontal and occipital regions as well as temporals. Using digital photography methods and ultraviolet light, we were able to document these injuries and later published our findings through International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
During Dutch colonial rule from the 16th to mid-20th century, Indonesia faced severe enslavement and frequent raids.
The woman might have died during one such raid although we do not know what her exact involvement was. There still exists a discussion concerning whether she was a slave or just an unfortunate individual caught up in the war conflict.
During these raids, people demanded female sorcerers known as ‘mon,’ suggesting they recognized the women as such.
Forensic anthropologist Rizky Sugianto Putri from Airlangga University observed that the woman’s injuries indicated she was likely kneeling or sitting and unable to protect herself.
Even though we do not know who kill her, the scholars have figure out what weapon was use. It had been a parang, traditional knife used by Papuan tribes during the colonial period.
According to Sugianto Putri, “We do not actually know who caused her death. However, the sharp force injuries are consistent with those inflicted by a parang.”
Such research can provide more knowledge on people’s lives and deaths in Indonesia’s colonial past.
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