Hanging Iron Cage

A Hanging Cage, usually hung from a gibbet. Victims of this instrument of torture died from hunger, thirst or the elements. If they were hanging in summer, victims could die of heat stroke. If they were hanging in winter, they could die of severe cold. Victims were usually left inside the cage until their bones began to fall apart sometimes as many as 20 years. The holes in the grating were also big enough to allow carrion birds to enter and pluck at a victim's skin and eyes. In some cases, the bodies would be left until their clothes rotted or even until the bodies were almost completely decomposed, after which the bones would be scattered. This example was probably used in Spain during the period of the Inquisition.