Vampire Tomb Unearthed Beneath Polish Church in Historic Discovery

In northern Poland, archaeologists have uncovered a surprising and unique find—a “vampire tomb” discovered beneath the floor of a church. This discovery is especially rare because it is uncommon to find a vampire burial within a church setting.

The excavation took place in the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in the small village of Pączewo. Initially, archaeologists found a stone slab adorned with an engraving of a skull. As they dug deeper, they uncovered the skeletal remains of a man believed to have lived during the 17th century, according to a report by the *Daily Mail*.

The skeleton, thought to be of a man around 50 years old at the time of his death, was found buried six feet below the slab. A sickle was positioned around his neck—a clear sign that he was regarded as a vampire. In medieval times, placing a sickle around a body’s neck was a common practice designed to prevent vampires from rising from the dead.

Additionally, two other skeletons were found nearby, but neither had a sickle around their necks.

Anthropologist Justyna Kargus examined the remains and noted that the man’s skull bore multiple injuries, suggesting he may have experienced significant trauma before his death. “His skull had numerous injuries, indicating deep scars on his face,” Kargus said. She also mentioned that the man had likely lost several teeth due to these injuries, possibly making him appear different to others, which might have contributed to fears or superstitions surrounding him. “He would’ve looked different from the average person, and that can be scary,” she added.

The fact that this discovery was made within a church has left archaeologists especially astonished, as it’s the first known case of a vampire burial being uncovered in such a sacred place. Kargus emphasized, “No one expects to find a vampire in a church.”

Typically, individuals believed to be vampires were buried in isolated locations, often far from populated areas or in cemeteries. Churches were generally reserved for clergy members or individuals of high status who had made significant contributions to the church. Kargus speculated that the man may have been an important figure, but “something caused them to be afraid of him.”

In Central and Eastern Europe, vampire myths and legends have been prevalent for centuries. In an effort to prevent the dead from rising, people would often drive metal rods into the skulls of suspected vampires. At one point, fear of vampires was so widespread that it led to mass hysteria, and some individuals were executed and buried in ways meant to prevent them from returning from the dead.

This latest discovery in Poland is part of a series of similar findings in the country. The most recent prior to this one involved the remains of a decapitated “vampire child” who had been buried face-down to prevent resurrection.