Archaeologists from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland recently unearthed the remains of what they believe to be a “female vampire” from the 17th century. This unusual burial, located in the small village of Pien, caught attention for its distinctive features meant to prevent the deceased from “returning” after death, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The remains belonged to a woman named Thea, found with a sickle placed across her neck and a padlock fastened to her left foot. These items, seemingly archaic forms of protective measures, were used in past centuries as defenses against the undead. The sickle, a common farming tool, was believed to decapitate the supposed vampire if she attempted to rise from the grave, thereby keeping her spirit at rest. In addition, the padlock was likely intended to physically trap the spirit, preventing any return from the afterlife.
Another detail that might have contributed to suspicions about Thea was her prominent tooth, which was visible at the front of her mouth in photographs taken at the site. This unusual feature may have sparked fears and rumors in the 1600s, when superstitions about vampires were widespread across Poland and much of Europe.
In a further sign of the woman’s elevated status, researchers found a delicate silk cap placed over her skull. The cap was a marker of social standing, indicating that Thea was likely a person of some importance or privilege. The head archaeologist, Professor Dariusz Poliński from the university in Torun, described the burial as “unusual,” given the elaborate precautions taken to prevent her return. His colleague Magdalena Zagrodzka remarked, “This is a unique discovery. Nothing like it has ever been found before.”
The discovery of these remains adds to a growing body of historical evidence suggesting that fear of vampires was deeply rooted in Polish culture, as well as across Eastern Europe. Seven years ago, archaeologists uncovered five similar graves in the town of Drawsko, approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) away, with comparable attempts to bind or restrain the dead in their graves. According to Smithsonian Magazine, stories of vampires rising from their graves and terrorizing villagers date as far back as the 11th century, when individuals were sometimes buried with measures to prevent their return as blood-sucking creatures.
Although today vampire legends are largely regarded as myth, with most people dismissing them as folklore, some scholars remain open to the idea that these stories were based on real cultural beliefs or social phenomena. The discovery of Thea’s burial site offers insight into how fear of the undead influenced burial practices and provides a rare glimpse into a time when such superstitions were taken very seriously.
