Killing Fields and S21 in Cambodia (NSFW)

[Msteelio91]

The following writing and photos may be NSFW depending on your own opinions.

These are some photos taken at the Killing Fields and Security Area 21 (S21). Visiting these two locations was extremely difficult mentally, and it was challenging to consider the "artistic" qualities of the place while taking these pictures. The people who these remains belong to were subject to immense cruelty and torture, and often murdered in incredibly gruesome ways. The Khmer Rouge (pronounced "KAHmer rooge" and meaning "Red Khmer" in French) would often use gardening tools or other blunt working tools to kill their victims rather than spending ammunition. Their weapons of choice were shovels, axes, picks, and even sharp palm stems used to cut the throat. Babies and younger children were murdered by being beaten against a large tree. It was a truly horrible time for these people and most are still survivors or direct descendants of survivors.

1. Our tour-guide, a survivor of S21, gives us a tour of the location.
Cambodia-257 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
2. A victims means of holding on to time while being tortured at S21. Most people did not last more than a few days.
Cambodia-261 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
3. A cell block at S21
Cambodia-263 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
4. Teeth can be found all around the Killing Fields
Cambodia-269 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
5. Some other items found by visitors
Cambodia-268 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
6. Bracelets left by visitors paying respect to the dead
Cambodia-272 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
7. Footprints on a path next to bone and cloth fragments that are stuck in the ground. This becomes a common sight at the Killing Fields and it is impossible not to step on remains while walking the grounds.
Cambodia-274 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
8. A Spirit Home (Khmer Tradition of paying respect to the dead) with bracelets and money left as offerings.
Cambodia-277 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
9. A pile of victims clothes still in tact.
Cambodia-278 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
10. Skulls that have been excavated are investigated, documented, and stored in the central temple on the grounds. The logs show method of death and approximate age and gender of the victims. This information was used during trials of the Khmer Rouge members. Most of whom escaped trial or died before conviction. Some are even still in power to this day.
Cambodia-284 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
11. The Temple of Skulls.
Cambodia-285 by Matt Steele, on Flickr
12.
Cambodia-286 by Matt Steele, on Flickr

 

[jcdeboever]

Good captures but very sad and troubling.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Msteelio91]

Good captures but very sad and troubling.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Thank you, that's about the best you can do while you're there.. if they came out looking happy then I did something very wrong

 

[xDarek]

That's very deep.Nice captures, but those images made me a little sad.

 

[Msteelio91]

That's very deep.Nice captures, but those images made me a little sad.

Thank you, check out my other threads for some happier pictures

 

[weepete]

Nice set, tough subject.

 

[ourherocomic]

moving. has a crime scene feel- in a non medical way if that makes any sense