The 18-year-old, named Zosia, was buried 350 years ago with a sickle across her neck and a padlock on her toe, believed to prevent her from rising from the grave.
Scientists have reconstructed the face of Zosia, a young woman buried 350 years ago in Poland with measures to prevent her „return” as a vampire.Oscar Nilsson/UMK Toruń
These unusual remains were discovered in 2022 near the village of Pien, south of Toruń, Poland, by a team led by Professor Dariusz Poliński from Nicolaus Copernicus University.
Archaeologists think that the sickle and rare triangular padlock were placed to stop her from „returning” as a vampire – a fear common at the time.
Local legend has kept villagers from visiting the site for generations. Among the 100 skeletons unearthed, Zosia’s grave stands out due to her apparent social status, hinted at by a silk cap, as well as the distinctive burial restraints.
Further studies conducted by Dr. Heather Edgar, an anthropologist from the University of New Mexico, revealed that Zosia had a chest deformity, possibly causing her pain and influencing how others viewed her.
Thanks to Swedish archaeologist and sculptor Oscar Nilsson, Zosia’s face was digitally reconstructed based on her skull. The reconstruction shows her as a young woman with blue eyes and short hair.
Scientists reconstruct the face of Poland’s famale “vampire”>>>
The young woman wore a silk cap, indicating her high social status. Scientists suggest that she was considered a potential threat, which may have led to the unique burial treatment, suggesting the community viewed her as a vampire.
The British newspaper Daily Mail reports that the story of Poland’s unique „vampire girl” is being covered by Sky History in the program Field of Vampires, which delves deeper into Zosia’s story and her unusual burial site.
Source: X/@MailOnline/FB/ODNilsson/Pień-badania archeologiczne
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