Archaeologists Uncover Decapitated Remains of 'Vampire' Children

Archaeologists in Poland recently discovered the decapitated skeletal remains of what were likely believed to have been "vampire" children, based on specific 13th century burial rituals that were intended to prevent the deceased from rising from the grave.

The remains of two children were uncovered by workers removing tree roots as part of a renovation project on the gardens surrounding the Palace of the Uniate Bishops in Chelm, a local site with rich historical and religious significance. According to historical records, the remains had not previously been associated with any known cemetery. Based on geological factors and nearby pottery fragments, archaeologists believe the remains date back to the 13th century.

What is interesting about the find is the unusual positioning on the skeletons. The skull of one of the children had been intentionally separated from the body and placed face-down in the grave, with heavy stones positioned on top of the torso. The practice of a face-down burial, along with the removal of the head or stones holding down the body, are characteristic of anti-vampire rituals that were prevalent at the time, particularly in medieval Eastern Europe.

"The burial clearly shows signs of anti-vampire practices, which were aimed at stopping the dead from rising again," said Dr. Stanisław Gołub, an archaeologist with the Lublin Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments who led the excavation, in a statement to Archaeology News. Supernatural folklore at the time suggested that the dead could return as vampires and feed on the blood of the living.

Further supporting the notion that the children were believed to have been vampires was the proximity of two poles that marked the burial site from the east and west. The posts were most likely intended to serve as grave markers, which suggested that the burial sites were being monitored for any potential signs of reanimation.

The discovery adds yet another piece of evidence to support the lengths in which medieval people were believed to have gone to protect themselves from perceived threats of the undead. In 2022, the remains of a woman were likewise unearthed in Pien, Poland, who had been buried with a sickle across her neck and a padlock attached to her toe to ostensibly prevent her from returning from the grave.