title: A probable case of euthanasia amongst prehistoric aborigines at Roonka, South Australia.
abstract: Amongst skeletons recovered from an archeological survey at Roonka on the lower Murray River in South Australia was that of a pregnant woman. The position of the full term foetus and evidence of head trauma to the woman suggests that a mercy killing took place following failure of childbirth. The study of this burial provides an insight into Aboriginal society which would not be available from other sources.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000266:history*; D028601:Euthanasia, Active; D005260:Female; D005580:Fossils; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples