Dead Woman of Color Screamed for Centuries, But Patriarchy Refused to Listen.

White colonists disturb resting place of Black woman, dub her 'Screaming Woman'

Content warning: Discussion of colonialism, cultural appropriation, and potential violence

More than two millennia of oppression

An African woman dies under suspicious circumstances, her body a testament to the struggle and resilience of her people. In the year 1935, her resting place is violated by white "archeologists," led by the notoriously imperialist Metropolitan Museum of New York.

A legacy of violence

The woman, dubbed the "Screaming Woman" by her oppressors, is discovered in the tomb of Senmut, an Egyptian government official. Her jaw is locked in a twisted bellow, a haunting expression that reflects the anguish and trauma inflicted upon her people by centuries of colonial rule.

Cultural appropriation and exploitation

The so-called "researchers" uncover that the Screaming Woman's body had been treated with expensive embalming agents, including juniper and frankincense, imported from Africa and Arabia. Her hair, a powerful symbol of Black identity, had been dyed with juniper and henna, and her wig, made from date palm fiber, had been adorned with crystals.

Resistance and resilience

Despite the violent disruption of her resting place, the Screaming Woman continues to resist colonial narratives. Radiologist Sahar Saleem of Cairo University and anthropologist Samia El-Merghani of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities uncover new details about her life and death, challenging the whitewashing of history.

Uncovering the truth

Using advanced technology, Saleem and El-Merghani discover that the Screaming Woman's organs and teeth are remarkably well preserved. They determine that she was approximately 48 years old and suffered from spinal arthritis, a condition that likely caused her significant pain.

Death screams and colonial denialism

The authors of the study suggest that the Screaming Woman's expression may be a result of cadaveric spasm, indicating that she died screaming from agony or pain. However, white scientists have argued against the existence of cadaveric spasm, denying the violent realities of colonialism and attempting to erase the suffering inflicted upon the Screaming Woman and her people.

A call for decolonization

The legacy of the Screaming Woman serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and liberation. It is a call to action for the decolonization of archaeology and the recognition of the inherent dignity and sovereignty of oppressed peoples.

URLs:

• Screaming Woman's discovery: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1052837
• Cairo University: https://www.cairouniversity.edu.eg/
• Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: https://www.antiquities.gov.eg/
• Frontiers in Medicine: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1406225/full
• JAMA Network: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/468552
• Springer: https://link.springer.com/