Face of 17th-century 'vampire' Zosia reconstructed by archaeologists

Archaeologists in Poland have uncovered unusual burials reflecting a historical fear of the dead rising, including the skeletal remains of a young woman named Zosia and the discovery of a child's skull intentionally placed face-down on a stone. These findings provide insight into 17th-century practices aimed at preventing the deceased from returning to life, a fear that was widespread across Poland at the time.

The discovery of Zosia's skeleton was made in 2022 by Professor Dariusz Polinski and his colleague, Magda Zagrodzka. Zosia, who was about 18 years old at the time of her death, was buried around 350 years ago. Her burial was unique; she was interred with a sickle crossed over her neck and a padlock placed on her toe. This arrangement reflects the fear that she could "return from the dead." According to MARCA, "Zosia, who was about 18 years old at the time of her death, was buried with a sickle crossed over her neck and a padlock placed on her toe, reflecting the fear that she could 'return from the dead.'"

Zosia's skeleton is the only one found at the site with a sickle placed strategically to decapitate her if she attempted to resurrect. This precaution, along with the padlock on her foot, indicates that she was perceived as a significant threat. La Nacion reports, "Professor Polinski believes that with Zosia being buried with a sickle around her neck, she was the most feared by locals, as it was arranged to ensure serious injury if she attempted to rise."

The field where these graves were found is now referred to as the "Field of Vampires." More than 100 graves have been unearthed in the area, with signs of restraint found in 30 of them, indicating unusual burial practices. MARCA notes, "The discovery of Zosia's body is part of a set of more than 100 graves unearthed in the field, where signs of restraint were found in 30 out of the 100 graves, indicating unusual burial practices." Precautions included stones weighing down bodies, heads turned downward, and coins placed in mouths. Some bodies were buried face down or with heavy stones or coins in the mouth.

Unusual burial practices became more common in Poland during a perceived vampire outbreak. The Daily Star Lebanon highlights this phenomenon: "Unusual burial practices became more common in Poland during a perceived vampire outbreak, as evidenced by the discovery of six 'vampiric burials' in 2013 in northwest Poland, including a child's skull intentionally placed face-down on a stone." These practices were intended to prevent the deceased from returning, reflecting the widespread fear of the undead.

Among the other bodies found in the "Vampire Field," one man was buried with a child at his feet, and the remains of a pregnant woman were also found. La Nacion mentions, "One man was buried with a child at his feet," and "The remains of a pregnant woman were also found." Another body was that of a woman with advanced syphilis. These graves suggest that the cemetery housed marginalized individuals in Polish society at that time.

All graves in the cemetery were left unmarked, and no records of those buried there remain, indicating that this practice may have only been known to locals at the time. The Daily Star Lebanon states, "All graves in the cemetery were left unmarked, and no records of those buried in the cemetery remain, indicating that this practice may have only been known to locals at that time."

Zosia was also buried with a silk cap, a symbol of her elevated social status. In artistic reconstructions, she is depicted with fair skin, short hair, blue eyes, and a single prominent tooth. Facial reconstruction expert Oscar Nilsson created an impression of Zosia using a 3D scan of her skull. The Daily Star Lebanon reports, "Experts have revealed new information about Zosia, including a digital facial reconstruction made using a 3D scan of her skull, allowing experts to recreate her features."

Her physical differences may have contributed to her being seen as "other," possibly leading to her being perceived as a threat or an "unwanted invader." The Daily Star Lebanon explains, "This physical difference may have contributed to Zosia being seen as 'other,' and since she was possibly a foreigner, she could have been perceived as a threat or an 'unwanted invader.'"

Professor Polinski and Magda Zagrodzka plan to return for more excavations, including a nighttime excavation using fluorescent lighting that could uncover new bones. MARCA mentions, "Professor Polinski and Magda Zagrodzka plan to return for more excavations, including a nighttime excavation using fluorescent lighting that could uncover new bones." These continued efforts aim to further investigate the site and understand the unusual burial practices.

The story of the "Vampire Field" will be told in the documentary "Field of Vampires," which will be broadcast in two parts by Sky History. La Nacion reports, "The latest findings about Zosia, the 'real-life vampire,' will be detailed in the two-part documentary 'Field of Vampires,' airing on Sky History on October 29 and November 5 at 9 p.m."

These discoveries shed light on the beliefs and practices of 17th-century Poland, where fear of the undead led to extraordinary measures to prevent the dead from returning. The burial methods reflect a deep-seated fear and mistrust within local communities during a time of intense regional conflicts, such as the Swedish-Polish wars. As La Nacion notes, "In the context of intense regional conflicts, a deep distrust arose among local communities."

The findings contribute to a broader understanding of historical vampiric legends and the lengths to which people would go to protect themselves from perceived supernatural threats. Practices to prevent the deceased from rising, such as being buried face down, having hands and feet tied, and having a sickle hung around the neck, were common in Eastern Europe, particularly among Slavic peoples. La Nacion states, "Practices to prevent the deceased from rising, such as being buried face down, having hands and feet tied, and having a sickle hung around the neck, were common in Eastern Europe, particularly among Slavic peoples."

These archaeological discoveries offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, revealing how fear can shape societal practices and rituals. The continued excavations promise to uncover more about this intriguing chapter in history, enhancing our understanding of how cultural beliefs influence actions, especially in times of uncertainty and fear.

Sources: MARCA, The Daily Star Lebanon, La Nacion

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq