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Archaeologists identify high-status 17th-century woman Zosia as a 'vampire' burial with unique protective measures

Researchers from the Nicolaus Copernicus University have published a systematic study of Zosia, a young woman buried in northern Poland with a sickle across her neck and a padlock on her toe. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, suggests these items were anti-demonic measures intended to prevent the deceased from rising as a vampire or revenant. Analysis of Zosia's remains reveals she was between 17 and 19 years old and likely came from a wealthy family, evidenced by gold and silver-gilded silk threads found near her skull. While her maternal lineage suggests Scandinavian roots, isotope tests indicate she grew up in the local region. Despite her high social standing, carbon and nitrogen measurements show she experienced periods of poor nutrition. The burial site, located away from a village at a crossroads, likely served as a necropolis for outcasts or those feared by the community. The administration announced that further DNA research will continue to determine the exact cause of Zosia's death and the specific reasons for her demonized status.

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