Scientists have revealed the face of a “vampire girl” who died 400 years ago

Researchers have managed to reconstruct the face of a woman buried in Poland in the 17th century, whose skeleton was discovered two years ago. The basis for the work was a 3D printed copy of the skull. Also in the process, pins made from special muscle clay, silicone and other materials were used. What came of this was told at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.

University archaeologists excavated the girl’s skeleton in 2022. He was in a field near the village of Pien, south of the city of Toruń. The examination helped establish that she died at the age of 18-20 years.

“Professor Dariusz Polinski’s shovel hit a hard object that vaguely resembled metal. After removing a layer of earth, the scientist saw female remains,” the researchers said.

The grave, which had been dug for almost 400 years, hid a terrifying funeral ritual: a sickle was placed around the woman’s neck, and a massive lock was secured to the toe of one of her feet. Such measures were used to protect against vampires. People believed that otherwise he could “rise from the damp earth.” Scientists dubbed the “dangerous lady” Zosya.

An archaeologist and sculptor from Sweden, Oscar Nilsson, undertook to reconstruct the face of the mysterious person. He began work in April and has only now presented the result.

The first step was to glue pins of different lengths to the 3D printed replica of the skull. As explained at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, the thickness of the tissues at the anatomical points of the face was determined in this way. Experts applied muscles made from a clay-based mixture to the pins.

“The eyeballs and further layers were then attached to simulate tissue and skin, taking into account wrinkles, pores, facial features and trauma scars,” the university noted.

Immersion of the resulting sculptural image in silicone and insertion of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows were the final stages of the work. It is reported that the sculpture of Zosia’s face will be delivered to Poland in the coming weeks.

The researchers explained that during her life the girl was distinguished by particularly white skin and blue eyes. However, the appearance was spoiled by a huge front tooth protruding from the mouth.

Before burial, the girl’s head was covered with a silk cap – this indicated her high social status. She, like a real emancipe, wore her hair short. Apparently, Zosia was born in Scandinavia – most likely in Sweden.

Medical researcher Heather Edgar from the University of New Mexico, after studying the results of scans of the remains, found a rare anomaly. It was clearly recognizable in the sternum of the deceased. Edgar came to the conclusion that this pathology could not only cause constant pain in Zosya, but also negatively affect her behavior. In addition, the girl’s unusually long tooth caused fear among those around her.

Presumably, the lady ended up in Piena during the Northern War of 1655-1660, when Sweden fought against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. And, apparently, Zosia became a captive of the Poles. This could also influence the perception of her as a mysterious and dangerous figure.

By the way, in Poland, archaeologists have found not the first burial with “vampires”. So, about ten years ago in the village of Drewsko, in a four-century-old cemetery, five male and female skeletons with sickles at their throats were discovered. The hips of the dead were crushed by large stones. These were also measures to “keep vampires in the grave.”