An unusual 'vampire' burial was discovered in Croatia. Researchers conducting an archaeological survey at the Rašaška site in eastern Croatia uncovered a grave with an unusual burial practice, including the remains of the deceased that were intentionally displaced, according to arkeonews.net.
The team discovered the grave, designated Grave 157, where two stones were found at the head and feet of the deceased. This arrangement may indicate a vampire burial, as confirmed by anthropological analysis, Live Science reported. The examination revealed that the body had been deliberately twisted after death, resulting in the torso facing downward while other body parts were oriented upward. Additionally, the skeleton had been decapitated, with the skull positioned separately from the other bones.
Anthropological analysis revealed that the individual was a man aged 40 to 50 years, according to arkeonews.net. Healed injuries on the skeleton indicated that the man had led a violent life. The analysis also showed signs of heavy physical labor on the spinal vertebrae and lower limbs. New analysis determined that he died from injuries to his skull.
The unusual burial may indicate that the individual was considered a "deviant social person" during life and was suspected of having the ability to rise again after death, reflecting social status or fear of vampirism. "We know that in many Slavic countries, belief in evil spirits persisted even after the adoption of Christianity. The belief in vampires has been quite widespread, for sure," said Nataša Šarkić, an independent archaeologist who studied the find, according to Live Science.
"Even a peaceful individual can become a potential threat if the burial rituals are not properly conducted," she added. Šarkić explained that people buried as vampires may have displayed "sinful or violent behavior" during their lives. "Unlike the aristocratic vampires known for their pale skin and slender figures, vampires from Balkan folklore were often described as bloated, long-nailed, and having a ruddy or dark complexion," she said. "Therefore, any corpse in an advanced stage of decomposition can resemble a 'vampire,'" she added.
From 2011 to 2023, archaeological studies revealed an architectural complex at the Rašaška site that includes over 180 skeletal burials and numerous dislocated bones, as reported by Enikos. C14 analysis showed that most graves date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, although the earliest may date from the 13th century.
The Rašaška site is part of the larger settlement of Bobare, which was owned in the early Middle Ages by the Knights Templar and was discovered in 2011 during systematic field research. By the 15th century, the land belonged to local nobles.
Based on the location and terrain configuration, everything indicates that the Rašaška site was a fortress.
Šarkić mentioned that there has been a recent increase in discoveries of medieval vampire burials throughout Europe, especially in Poland.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq