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VAMPIRE DIARIES: Remains of woman nailed to ground with sickle round neck found in 17th-century graveyard

Researchers said that the dead woman's toe was padlocked to keep her from returning from the dead, strengthening the theory she was considered a 'vampire'

Warning: Contains graphic description. Discretion is advised. 

PIEŃ, POLAND: A skeleton of a female "vampire" was recently discovered in a 17th-century Polish graveyard. As per reports, Professor Dariusz Poliński, along with a team of researchers from Nicolaus Copernicus University, discovered the skeletal remains of the woman, who had been pinned to the ground with a sickle across her throat.

Talking about the discovery on September 2, Poliński told the DailyMail, "The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up most likely the head would have been cut off or injured." The professor further stated that the dead woman's toe was found padlocked to keep her from returning from the dead and this has strengthened the theory that the female was considered a vampire at the time of her death. He said that "the lock would have been used during the burial process to symbolize the impossibility of returning," and added, "Ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them, and smashing them with a stone."

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As per the report, researchers did not mention the age of the deceased; however, pointed out a silk cap, which was found on the skull, indicating that she belonged to high social status.

5 skeletons discovered in similar manner in 2015

As per the DailyMail, in 2015, archaeologists discovered five skeletons buried similarly at a 400-year-old cemetery in the village of Drewsko. The remains had sickles pinned across the throats of an adult man, aged between 35 and 44; and an adult woman, aged between 35 and 39 years old. Another body of an old woman was found, who was 50 to 60 years old and was buried with a sickle laying across her hips and a medium-sized stone at her throat. The fourth one was of a woman, aged between 30 and 39; and a teenage girl, who was assumed to be between 14 and 19; both were found with sickles placed on the throats.

The researchers, who found these remains, said at the time, "When placed in burials they were a guarantee that the deceased remained in their graves and therefore could not harm the living, but they may also have served to protect the dead from evil forces." They further added, "According to folk wisdom, a sickle protected women in labor, children and the dead against evil spirits. It also had a role in rituals designed to counter black magic and witchcraft."