Scientists affectionately call her Zosia. In the media, she is referred to as the “vampire from Pień,” but her story is primarily a record of suffering and medical mysteries from centuries ago.
The reconstructed face shows a young woman around 20 years old, of slight build, standing about 160 cm tall. Her body was buried in an unusual way: a silk cap remained on her head, she rested on a large pillow, and a ribbon woven with golden thread was found in the grave, indicating care and respect for the deceased.
At the same time, objects intended to protect the living were placed in the grave. An iron sickle was inserted on her neck, blade pointing downward, and a triangular metal padlock was placed on the big toe of her left foot. Archaeologists interpret these as practices connected to beliefs about upiors – the dead who could harm the living after death.
Medical examinations revealed serious health problems. Zosia had a vascular tumor in the sternum, a blockage in blood flow to the brain, and likely also mental health issues and malnutrition. A greenish deposit was found on her palate, possibly indicating attempts at treatment.
She was not a vampire – she was a young woman whose body and illnesses became the basis of local fears. The way she was buried also shows care and respect: she was clothed, placed in a coffin, and arranged carefully in the grave.
Zosia’s story records the life, illnesses, and beliefs of the 17th-century Pień community. It shows how fear, care, and everyday realities combined in burial rituals that continue to fascinate archaeologists today.