Researchers Reconstruct the Face of 'Vampire' Unearthed From Northern Poland, Call It 'Mind-Blowing' Moment

In 2022, researchers raised a 'vampire' from a grave in northern Poland. Experts are now trying to analyze the remains of the particular 'vampire' to understand why she was given this distinction, CNN reported. Their first step is complete with Swedish forensic artist, Oscar Nilsson, using his brilliance to create a 3D reconstruction of the 17th-century 'demon's' face.

The 'vampire' was found at a site in Pień near Dąbrowa Chełmińsk, CNN reported. During excavation, the team noted how a particular woman was buried with a sickle across her neck and a padlock on her left big toe. According to historical records, people buried in such a manner were believed to be vampires or demons by the society. Locals named the disreputed woman Zosia.

Nilsson took the help of data collected by researchers, like Zosia's skull contours and DNA analysis for his reconstruction, CNN reported. The artist took a lot of effort to ensure that he was giving the subject the respect she allegedly did not get from the people of her time. "I’m used to reconstructing faces, but in this case also I’m looking forward to giving her some human dignity back," he said. "She deserved something better."

Archaeologist Dariusz Poliński who was involved in the excavation of Zosia, was pleasantly surprised by Nilsson's work, CNN reported. He felt that the artist inserted humanity in his dead subject. "He added so much feeling, so much emotion," explained Poliński. "It wasn’t a mask."

Further analysis has revealed various aspects of Zosia's physical condition, CNN reported. Researchers stated that the woman likely had a health condition that resulted in severe chronic headaches and fainting spells, as per her spine examination. They also noted that the subject's sternum could have been deformed, causing the growth of a painful chest tumor. According to experts, none of these two issues were responsible for the woman's death. 

The grave along with the woman's remains contained silk fabric and metallic threads made of silver and gold, CNN reported. These findings indicate to the researchers that the woman could be from a wealthy or high-status background. Her DNA showcases that the woman came from southern Scandinavia. Considering the location of the burial site, it could have been that the woman was an outsider within her community. 

Researchers have understood through excavations that the sickle and padlock were incorporated after the burial, CNN reported. The practice of reopening graves was common during the 17th century. "The dead were blamed for different happenings. The deceased person was believed to be a kind of trigger for some disease or death," Poliński said.

Some unfortunate events could have taken place, causing people to cite the dead woman as the reason behind the catastrophe, CNN reported. Thereafter the grave was reopened, and the remains were moved. This assertion was made taking into consideration the woman's fractured spine in the pit. Ultimately they placed the sickle and padlock made of iron, to prevent her spirit from rising from the dead.

"All societies have revenants and they will use a number of strategies to stop them moving about after death — the sickle is one; staking down is another; putting thorny branches around the neck yet one more," Martyn Rady, Masaryk Professor Emeritus of Central European History at University College London explained.

Researchers are yet to pinpoint a particular explanation regarding the woman's identity as a demon, WISN reported.  "Generally, the 'undead' are people that have led violent lives or died violently or have not been buried with the proper funeral rites," Rady said. A year after Zosia's discovery, the team found a child buried in the same condition, at the site. The researchers are in the process of understanding how both individuals were connected.