The origins of the custom of scalping enemies are unclear-it may 
have been introduced by Spanish conquerors in the 1500s, or it may 
have begun as an ancient Indian tradition. The practice increased 
dramatically among Indians and Europeans in the 1700s, largely as a 
result of the Indian scalp bounties set by local authorities as a way to 
encourage settlers to help fight hostile Indian tribes. The Indians 
retained scalps as war trophies and offerings to spirits, or wore scalp 
locks on their belts as warning to their attackers. Shown here are two 
Indians from the Southeast displaying their trophies.