Researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń have published the first systematic study of a 400‑year‑old burial uncovered near the village of Pień in northern Poland. The grave, nicknamed “Zosia,” contained a young woman’s skeleton with a rusted sickle placed over her throat and a triangular padlock fastened to her big toe – measures historically used to prevent a corpse from rising.
Background of the burial site
The field, excavated beginning in 2005, served as a cemetery for roughly four generations in the 17th century and yielded 101 graves. The absence of typical Catholic devotional items suggests the burial ground was Protestant, reflecting the mixed religious makeup of the region, which included Lutherans, Mennonites and a Catholic majority.
Unusual grave‑goods and their meaning
In addition to the sickle and padlock, some graves contained stones around the skull, a child buried face‑down, and an object of copper and gold placed in the mouth or nose – all interpreted by the authors as “anti‑demonic” practices meant to disable potentially dangerous corpses. Such measures were recorded elsewhere in early‑modern Poland but are rare in other parts of Europe.
Scientific analysis
The team examined Zosia’s mitochondrial DNA, which hinted at maternal ancestry linked to Scandinavian populations, though the fragment is too short to pinpoint a precise origin. Isotopic analysis of oxygen and strontium in her teeth indicated she likely grew up locally, consuming food and water from the same sources as other individuals buried at the site.
Trace amounts of silk fabric with pure gold and silver threads were found near her skull, suggesting she came from a relatively wealthy family – a level of adornment not seen in contemporary royal burial robes.
Cause of death remains unknown
Earlier examinations proposed a vascular tumor in her sternum, but the new study found no evidence of trauma or disease that could explain her death. The researchers speculate that community fears of misfortune, such as disease or famine, may have led locals to treat her as a potential source of supernatural harm.
Ongoing research
Further DNA work is planned to clarify the young woman’s ancestry and the reasons behind the community’s extreme burial precautions. The study adds to a growing body of research on “vampire” or deviant burials, a phenomenon documented across Europe during the early modern period.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
