Two years ago, human remains were discovered near Bydgoszcz, Poland, buried with a sickle across the neck and a padlock on the left toe. Speculation arose about a vampire burial.
Archaeologists from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń have clarified the findings after a thorough examination. They concluded that the remains belonged to a woman who lived in the 17th century and held a high social status.
Using a 3D model of the skull, researchers reconstructed her face. Genetic and isotopic analyses indicated Scandinavian roots.
The sickle and padlock were likely placed by others to prevent her from rising as a zombie or vampire, according to the Toruń Educational Association. During her lifetime, vampire cults were prevalent in European ethnic groups, with vampires viewed as malevolent beings or victims of suicide.
Scientists also noted that the woman suffered from a tumor in the sternum, which may have caused significant pain and contributed to chest deformities. This condition could have led to fainting spells, severe headaches, or a pathological mental illness, leading contemporaries to label her as a witch or possessed.