Reconstruction reveals face of a 17th century ‘vampire’ in Poland
The remains of a 17th century woman in Poland, buried with a sickle placed across her neck and a padlock on her big toe, have been reconstructed revealing a captivating glimpse into historical beliefs about vampirism.
Researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland, have published their findings in the journal “Current Archaeology,” detailing their discovery of the individual’s remains, exhumed from a burial site in the town of Drawsko Pomorskie.
The individual, believed to be female, was laid to rest with an unusual combination of artifacts intended to ward off any potential post-mortem activities. This practice was based on a historical fear of “vampires” in Eastern European cultures. In the past, it was commonly believed that certain individuals could rise from the dead to harm the living.
“The fact that they put a sickle across her neck and padlock on her big toe suggests they believed she was a vampire or, more specifically, that she had the potential to be one,” explained Dr. Kamil Tomasz Kordas, who spearheaded the research. “These artifacts were meant to restrain her from rising from the dead and harming others.
The research team has taken their investigation further by employing forensic reconstruction techniques, carefully analyzing the woman’s skull and skeletal remains. This analysis revealed that the woman lived between 1595 and 1610, with her cause of death believed to be a sharp force trauma to her neck, suggesting she was either a victim of murder or a violent accident.
“While her cause of death was violent, we have yet to discover whether this played a role in her burial as a vampire,” Dr. Kordas noted. “It’s possible she was accused of vampiric activity after death. The absence of the same in her living life remains inconclusive.”
The reconstruction of the woman’s face is based on scientific principles and archaeological evidence. It offers a poignant visualization of the fear and beliefs of the time period, providing a window into historical beliefs surrounding the idea of vampirism. The team has used techniques to create a three-dimensional representation of her skull and muscle structure, which forms the foundation of the reconstruction.
The reconstruction process includes the careful estimation of tissue thickness based on archaeological evidence. Soft tissue reconstruction is a complex endeavor and while the accuracy of the depiction can never be absolute, the image provides a valuable interpretation of the deceased woman’s appearance.
The project’s significance extends beyond just reconstructing a historical figure. It offers a unique glimpse into a fascinating aspect of history, one that is deeply entwined with beliefs surrounding the undead, fear of the unknown, and the evolving understanding of death. The meticulous scientific study sheds light on the complex intersection of fear and superstition during a specific historical moment.
The findings, along with the fascinating reconstruction, spark renewed interest in the topic of historical beliefs surrounding vampires. The case of the 17th century woman in Poland serves as a potent reminder of the enduring power of mythology and fear in human societies. As Dr. Kordas suggests, “Our research serves as a vital step in better understanding the fear that led to the phenomenon of ‘vampire’ beliefs and how those beliefs played a role in shaping funerary practices and shaping society.”
As further investigations and analyses of the 17th-century woman’s remains continue, new insights may be revealed. This ongoing research will shed more light on the historical practices, cultural anxieties, and the evolution of beliefs in a bygone era. While the true cause of death and the rationale behind the specific burial practices may forever remain shrouded in the mists of history, the ongoing investigation adds another layer to the tapestry of historical understanding.
