This article does a superb job of implementing various kinds of evidence in debating which of these two theories is most likely true, and shifting through different perspectives to make his arguement. 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 hea

In 1879, Susette La Flesche, describe in the article as “a spirited daughter of a famous Omaha family”, responded to a newspaper reporter statement of Indian barbarity during war. She countered with, “Don’t you know that the white man taught Indians that? It was practiced first in New England on the Penobscot Indians.” She continued, “The General Court of the Province of Massachusetts offered a bounty of forty pounds for every scalp of a male Indian brought in as evidence of his being killed, and for every scalp of a female or male Indian under twelve years, twenty pounds.” (Axtell, 452) In the 1960's and 70's there were examples given up televison reporters and personalities stating that scalping had indeed started with white Europeans.

What I found to be the most interesting evidence presented was the archaeological evidence that depicts scalping took place prior to European interference. Pre-historic sites with Indian skulls were discovered with lesions on the head that could mean little other than a scalp

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