Archaeologists excavating a burial site in Croatia have uncovered intriguing evidence of strange historical burial customs that seem to reflect a belief in the supernatural. The remains of the deceased were intentionally repositioned, and two large stones were placed at the head and feet. This unusual discovery suggests that the individual may have been thought to be a "vampire," a theory seemingly supported by additional anthropological analysis of the skeleton.
According to the Serbian-language website Sve o Arheologiji (All About Archaeology), the grave was excavated last year at the Rašaška (also known as Račeša) archaeological site, which is located approximately 70 miles (112 kilometers) southeast of Zagreb, Croatia. Experts estimate the burial dates from the 13th to the 16th centuries, as medieval traditions persisted longer in this region compared to other parts of Europe.
The study of the skeleton was published in the Proceedings of the Scientific Conference, Military Orders and Their Heritage. The research explores potential reasons behind postmortem alterations, proposing that the burial could reflect either the deceased's social standing or concerns about vampirism—with the latter possibility considered the most likely.
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A Totally Unexpected Find in Račeša
The Račeša site was initially discovered in 2011 during an extensive survey of the broader Bobare settlement.
"Račeša’s estate originally belonged to the Templars, then to the Order of the Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and finally to the local nobility, according to historical sources from the 13th to the 16th century," the paper published about this discovery noted.
Close-up photo of skeletal remains of man given a “vampire burial” in Croatia. (Milica Nikolić/Sve o Arheologiji (All About Archaeology)).
Based on the terrain and location, researchers initially suspected the site was a fortress. However, further investigations indicated the presence of a religious structure. Between 2012 and 2023, excavations revealed an architectural complex containing 181 skeletal burials and a large quantity of dislocated bones.
With respect to the anomalous burial, the researchers were particularly intrigued by the unconventional positioning of the body and the placement of two large stones at the feet and head. These characteristics led them to consider the possibility of a "vampire" burial, influenced by beliefs related to the treatment of the dead.
Most of individuals unearthed were buried in a traditional manner, lying on their backs with arms positioned over the hips, stomach, or alongside their bodies, oriented west to east. Only a few graves contained small personal ornaments. Radiocarbon (C14) dating indicated that most of the burials occurred between the 15th and 16th centuries.
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A Mysterious Medieval Burial
Grave number 157, which was the focus of the new study, was excavated along the southern wall of the religious building.
The deceased was found lying on his back, but his head had been removed and placed approximately one foot (30 centimeters) away while soft tissue was still intact. A large brick was positioned between the legs, and a substantial stone was placed beneath the head.
Skeletal analysis revealed injuries on the remains. Some wounds occurred months before death, others during life, and some were determined to be the cause of death.
Anthropological examination by Dr. Nataša Šarkić identified the individual as a man between 40 and 50 years old, who exhibited clear signs of strenuous physical labor on the spinal vertebrae and lower limbs.
Photos of injuries experienced in life, including the two head blows that caused the man’s death (on the bottom). (Nataša Šarkić/Sve o Arheologiji (All About Archaeology)).
The remains bore both healed injuries and fatal wounds. Evidence of trauma was found on the ribs and lower leg, along with a healed upper jaw injury caused by a sharp object. Two severe blows to the back of the skull were identified as fatal.
"These wounds are the result of interpersonal violence, and they have had deadly consequences," Dr. Šarkić told Sve o Arheologiji. She believes that this man was involved in at least three conflicts during his lifetime.
The burial method was also noteworthy. Although interred within a church, the grave was positioned against a wall, a location considered unfavorable.
"Although he was initially buried in accordance with Christian doctrine, his remains were later moved and placed strangely. His head was removed from his body, and his chest was placed in an inverted position," the study authors explain in their paper.
Dr. Šarkić noted that Christian burial traditions emphasize facing east to witness the second coming of Christ.
"While the above-mentioned method of burial has always been reserved only for those who were in some way unfit in that society. That is, this can be seen as some form of punishment."
The Vampire Legend Revisited
Why was this man's body repositioned in such an unusual manner? The researchers speculate that he may have been a soldier, knight, or someone with a troubled past, as cases of severe interpersonal violence were rare among the general population.
Another possible explanation is that he may have been a vampire (in the opinion of his neighbors, of course).
According to Slavic folklore, the soul does not immediately depart for the afterlife but remains connected to the body until decomposition occurs. After 40 days, the soul embarks on a journey into the great beyond. If an individual suffered a violent death or led a sinful life, their body might not decay and they might instead transform into a vampire, joining the ranks of the undead and rising from the grave to drink the blood of the innocent.
People who deviated from societal norms, acted dishonorably, or were deemed apostates were all considered potential vampires. Additionally, those who were killed in violent circumstances were thought to be at risk of becoming undead.
Count Dracula (played by Bela Lugosi) has returned from the grave to torment Lou Costello in “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”.(Reinos de Fabula).
"Moreover, his disfigured face could cause fear and repulsion, which led to social exclusion. All this makes him an excellent candidate to become an 'unclean spirit,' i.e. a vampire. This may explain the 'necessity' of disrupting the funeral, which is avoided in any other case, since it carries great social and supernatural consequences," the researchers concluded in their paper.
While everything about this burial is consistent with the idea that this individual was a forerunner to Count Dracula, without any written record there is no way to know for sure why he was buried the way he was—unless he returns from the dead again to tell us himself.
Top image: The grave of the man given the “vampire” burial in Račeša, Croatia.
Source: Sve o Arheologiji (All About Archaeology)
By Nathan Falde
