Evidence for Prehistoric Scalping in Northeastern Nebraska

There is currently some controversy concerning the practice of scalping in Nebraska prior to contact between indigenous peoples and Europeans. Four individuals recovered from prehistoric sites in northeastern Nebraska appear to not only have been scalped, but to have survived the event for at least several months. The three individuals excavated from 25DX4 and one individual from 25DK9 show evidence of massive cranial injection generally associated with exposure of the outer table of the skull. These crania are presented, along with evidence for and against prehistoric scalping in Nebraska. In addition, evidence for a weapon not previously known in northeastern Nebraska, and evidence of warfare between Mill Creek and Nebraska phase peoples are discussed.