A human skull lies partly dug up in the earth.

1001409776

A human skull lies partly dug up in the earth.

Photo by: RapidEye

RapidEye

Female ‘Vampire’ Remains Discovered in 17th-Century Graveyard

By: Discovery

Archaeologists have unearthed an extremely unusual burial ritual to prevent a return from the dead.

September 08, 2022

The remains of a female “vampire” with a sickle hovering above her throat were unearthed at an archaeological site in a 17th-century Polish cemetery. The gravesite located in the village of Pień was first discovered in August 2022.

The unidentified woman was buried with a silk scarf — a sign of high social class. The sickle is a clue that she was suspected of being a vampire, perhaps due to her physical abnormality of a large protruding tooth.

The sharp sickle was placed across her neck, suggesting that should she jolt awake after death, the trap would decapitate her. A padlock attached to the big toe on her left foot was also unearthed. This burial style is extremely unusual according to a professor from Poland’s Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun.

Eastern Europeans in the 17th century feared the existence of vampires although the reasons behind this belief remain mysterious.

Next Up

World’s Largest Drone Superhighway Will Deliver Goods For Society

Drone deliveries will soon be a reality as the world's first automated superhighway is slated to begin operations in the UK by mid-2024.

Josh Gates is Taking Us Inside The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club and Discovery are partering on a new series TALES FROM THE EXPLORERS CLUB and celebrating diversity with The Explorers Club 50: Fifty People Changing the World that the World Needs to Know About.Plus, The Explorers Club Discovery Expedition Grants (ECDEG) is kicking off its second year of advancing and showcasing new expeditions, cutting-edge research, and scientific achievements to audiences worldwide.

Your Guide to Fan-Favorite Series and Specials Making a Comeback This Spring... Shark Week Anyone?

Starting March 23rd enjoy HOURS of your favorite shows on Discovery, Science, and Animal Planet. From SHARK WEEK and MYTHBUSTERS to CRIKEY! IT'S THE IRWINS and more, scroll through to get the details.

Robotrucks to Deliver New Era of Driverless Technology

Clear winners are hard to pick in the race to develop self-driving vehicles, but autonomous trucks have built a convincing lead. Robotrucks have completed thousands of automated journeys and the world appears to be braced for a new era of driverless delivery.

NFL SUPER STADIUMS Follows the Epic Journey of Building SoFi Stadium

In partnership with the NFL, Discovery and Science Channel go behind the scenes and follow the remarkable journey of constructing SoFi Stadium in an all-new, two-hour special, NFL SUPER STADIUMS premiering Wednesday, September 9 at 8P on Science Channel and Saturday, September 12 at 11A on Discovery.

Human Composting Saves the Planet One Burial at a Time

Green or eco burials have become an alternative way to reduce the environmental impact of burying loved ones.

Axiom Lifts Off with the First Fully Private Crewed Mission to Space

Axiom Mission 1 blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center today, setting the standard for commercial space travel with a first-of-its-kind mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Where White Water Is The Life Of The Party

The brand new series ‘WHITE WATER SUMMER’ is bringing oar-sized drama and party-hard nightlife to discovery+ on March 30!

Celebrity Car Dealers Showcase the American Dream on MILLION DOLLAR WHEELS

The cutthroat and elite world of celebrity luxury and supercar dealers is on full display is the new discovery+ series, MILLION DOLLAR WHEELS executive produced by academy award®-winner, Jamie Foxx. Watch the series premiere on February 28, 2022 on discovery+.

How to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

From seasonal foods to candle-lit evenings, here are some simple ways to celebrate the autumn equinox.