Iroquois Prisoner Being Tortured
Image from the Biblioteca Arcaya. The fate of prisoners of war depended on the customs of their captors and was specific to the local culture of each tribe. Captive adults might be killed, while children were, most of time, kept alive and adopted. An iroquois prisoner is being burnt with torches. Captives were expected to show self-control and composure. The torture was conducted publicly in the captors village. Common torture techniques included burning, cuts from knives, beatings with switches and jabs from sharp sticks. Fingers were broken, then twisted and yanked by children. Captives were scalped alive and made to eat pieces of their own flesh. To make the torture last longer, they would revive captives with rest periods during which time they were given food and water. The execution of an adult male, could take several days and nights
