Archaeologists from the Lublin Voivodeship Monuments Conservatory have unearthed a “vampire” grave in the gardens of the Bishops’ Palace on Chełmska Mountain in Poland.
The palace is part of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Basilica cathedral complex, both of which were built at the beginning of the 18th century on the site of a former Orthodox church and Basilian monastery.
According to a press statement issued by the Provincial Conservatory of Monuments in Lublin, archaeologists they found the skeletal remains of two children during work in the palace gardens.
One of the children’s graves has been described as “vampiric” because of its distinctive treatment: the skull was deliberately removed and placed face down, and heavy stones were placed on the body.
Archaeologists found the skeletal remains of two children
These measures were probably intended to prevent the deceased from “coming back to life” and “returning to the living”, a practice often found in the folklore of several European countries. Those afflicted with this condition were generally suicides, witches or corpses possessed by a malevolent spirit, or victims of a vampire attack, according to folklore.
Two holes probably served as burial markers, allowing church officials to monitor the deceased for any signs of revival.
Similar burials have been discovered in cemeteries in Poland
In an interview for HeritageDailythe archaeologists who made the discoveries stated that both tombs probably date from the 13th century AD. during the early Middle Ages.
None of the graves were accompanied by any form of grave goods, but they were recovered on site pieces of pottery, which were used to date the graves in question.
They also explained that similar “vampire” burials have been discovered in several cemeteries in Poland, including the burial of a woman in Pień who was found buried with a toe lock and a scythe around her neck .
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Source: www.descopera.ro
