Medieval tomb of a "vampire" unearthed in Croatia

Researchers discovered a grave with an unusual burial practice in the settlement of Rašaška in the eastern part of Croatia. The unusual burial, marked with the number 157, was discovered under the floor of a church along the southern wall.

Scientists found out that the remains of the deceased were deliberately moved, with two stones placed near the head and feet. According to Arkeo News, an anthropological analysis of the skeleton confirmed that this discovery may indicate the burial of a "vampire."

According to the researchers, the discovery of this unusual burial in Croatia emphasizes the persistence of such beliefs in Eastern medieval Europe.

"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," independent archaeologist Nataša Šarkić commented on the discovery.

The anthropological analysis of the skeleton showed that it was a man aged 40-50 years, with traces of heavy physical labor on his vertebrae and lower limbs. The healed injuries on the skeleton indicated that the man had lived a violent life and eventually died of skull injuries.

According to the researchers who found the grave, the skeleton was decapitated and the skull was positioned separately from the other bones. The sveoarheologiji website writes that further examination of the remains showed that the body was deliberately twisted after death, with the torso pointing downward and other parts of the body pointing upward.

The unusual burial suggests that this person was considered a "deviant social person" during his lifetime, which gives rise to suspicions that he could be resurrected after death.

The archaeological site of Rašaška was discovered in 2011 during systematic field research of the larger Bobare settlement. Scientists found out that it was a fortress, but they also stumbled upon evidence of a sacred site. From 2012 to 2023, archaeological research revealed an architectural complex that includes 181 skeletal burials and a significant number of dislocated bones. Most of the burials date back to the XV-XVI centuries.

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