Abstract
Inflicting pain as a mechanism for the development of power-relationships is not new. When examined using the aggressor-witness-victim model, relationships based on the control of the aggressor can be examined with regard to the ability to either inflict pain or to withhold pain. The aggressor has the power in violent interaction to either cause pain or to not cause pain. This ability creates a dependency between these groups as well as the witnesses who are present for the interaction. This dependency is a public performance in which it is made clear that the aggressor has control over the physical body of the victim and the witnesses. This relationship is explored both prehistorically through the lens of the Sacred Ridge site (dating to 800 AD in southwestern Colorado) and modern examples. In many ways, witnessing the pain of another is more psychologically damaging that experiencing pain firsthand, and may lead to more easily allowing for the social control of one group over another.
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Notes
- 1.
The idea that we will experience more empathy for those we are related to or in relationships with is an underlying assumption for most of pain research despite never seemingly explicitly tested.
- 2.
The analysis was also assisted by Katie Zejdlik for a short time.
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Acknowledgments
The analysis of Sacred Ridge occurred while I was an employee of SWCA Environmental Consultants. Special thanks are owed to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Acoma Pueblo for the opportunity to analyze these remains, SWCA for the opportunity to work with these assemblages, and the individuals at SWCA who provided assistance and support during the analysis.
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Osterholtz, A. (2020). Pain as Power: Torture as a Mechanism for Social Control. In: Sheridan, S.G., Gregoricka, L.A. (eds) Purposeful Pain. Bioarchaeology and Social Theory. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32181-9_11
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