P33 HAIR IN THE MUSEUM: ANALYSIS OF HAIR FROM SHRUNKEN HEAD
Van Neste D1, Jadot C2
1Skinterface, Tournai, Belgium
2Château de Jehay, Jehay, Belgium

Traditionally, shrinking of a human head was obtained after decapitation of an enemy (dead or alive on the battlefield!) during fights opposing the 5 groups living in the Jivaro region (South America (SA)). A “tsantsa” - shrunken head -reflects the courage of the warrior and is associated with a better future. Our interest in shrunken heads was prompted by serendipity. Indeed during the search of historical samples of human and animal hair and remnants of archaeological «parasites» such as nits, we came across nits fixed on the hair of a shrunken head in the Semmelweis museum (Budapest). Because this was non-human skin, we became aware that besides the authentic “tsantsa” there might be counterfeits i.e. made of non-human or human skin. The former are easily identified from the dermatologist’s perspective (animal hair coat, cuts to replace natural orifices, etc.). The fake “tsantsa” were manufactured by taxidermists (e.g. human shrunken heads, non Jivaro individuals) for commercial purposes. They were sold to “curio-hunters” during the early days of tourism in SA. More recently, we analysed a shrunken head, a gift from Australian friends to the owner of the castle of Jehay (Belgium). The detailed analysis of the skin surface, ear shape, eyelids and the pattern of hair on facial skin and scalp hair ascertain the human male origin. On top, the hair characteristics (according to forensic standards) are typical for sub-Saharan African heritage (eventually Papua New Guinea). Therefore, we suspect that this human shrunken head may have been a “counterfeit” as it may not be the result of wars or ritual murdering between Jivaro groups in SA.