A teenage girl, interred in a uniquely protected grave in 17th-century Poland and feared by her community as a potential vampire, has been identified by researchers. The individual, known by the moniker "Zosia" among academics, was discovered in 2022 at an unmarked burial site containing approximately 100 other individuals believed by villagers at the time to be vampires or demons.
Initial examination of Zosia's remains revealed she was buried with a padlock on her toe, a practice common in the era to prevent the dead from rising. Later, a sickle was placed across her neck, a measure researchers believe was intended to decapitate her if she reanimated. However, new analysis published in the Journal of Archaeological Science suggests Zosia was between 17 and 19 years old and her death was not violent or caused by disease. Experts hypothesize she was likely scapegoated for a local famine or virus outbreak.
Further investigation of her skeletal remains and teeth revealed a physical abnormality in her breast, which may have caused her pain and distinguished her in a way that fueled local superstitions. Despite the fear she may have inspired, Zosia was buried in a coffin adorned with a silk cap trimmed with silver and gold threads, indicating she likely belonged to a wealthy or noble family.
Her DNA suggests a distant Scandinavian connection, but evidence points to her having grown up in the region. Researchers have dated her death to the mid-1600s. The fear of the undead in Eastern Europe dates back to the 11th century, with beliefs that the deceased could return to terrorize the living. By the 17th century, unusual burial practices, such as those found at Zosia's site, became more common in Poland, particularly in response to reported outbreaks of perceived vampirism.