PETRIFIED BODY OF WOMAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1940, Page 2

PETRIFIED BODY OF WOMAN

UNUSUAL ATTRACTION AT SHOW. Carterton Show patrons will have the opportunity of seeing the petrified body of a young aboriginal woman which was found in the limestone caves near Narracoorte, South Australia, and is in a perfect state of preservation. So well is it preserved that the wounds which originally caused death are still plainly visible. On the right side of the head is a depressed fracture which looks as though it had been caused by a blunt instrument; The left leg is swollen as though it had been broken below the knee. Medical men are of the opinion that the girl’s leg was broken and that, in accordance with prehistoric custom, the tribe killed the girl to avoid carrying her with them in their wanderings. The petrification of the bodies of animals and human beings is not uncommon, but it is most unusual to secure such a perfect specimen. Exhibited with the petrified woman are the petrified bodies of a Nautilus and a Scallop,’ showing that , the process is not confined to the animal kingdom. No expense has been spared to secure this outstanding attraction, which has been brought to New Zealand for a limited season only. The petrified woman will be located in the side-show area at the Carterton Show.