Lesley
A. Gregoricka/
Tracy
K. Betsinger/ Amy B. Scott/ Marek Polcyn
Plos
One, nr. 26, november 2014,
pp. 1-24 (pdf.)
Abstract
Apotropaic observances-traditional
practices intended to prevent evil-were not uncommon in post-medieval Poland,
and included specific treatment of the dead for those considered at risk for
becoming vampires. Excavations at the Drawsko 1cemetery (17th–18th c. AD) have
revealed multiple examples (n56) of such deviant burials amidst hundreds of
normative interments. While historic records describe the many potential
reasons why some were more susceptible to vampirism than others, no study has
attempted to discern differences in social identity between individuals within
standard and deviant burials using biogeochemical analyses of human skeletal
remains. The hypothesis that the individuals selected for apotropaic burial
rites were non-local immigrants whose geographic origins differed from the local
community was tested using radiogenic strontium isotope ratios from archaeological
dental enamel. 87Sr/86Sr ratios (50.7112¡0.0006, 1s) from the permanent molars
of 60 individuals reflect a predominantly local population, with all individuals
interred as potential vampires exhibiting local strontium isotope ratios. These
data indicate that those targeted for apotropaic practices were not migrants to
the region, but instead, represented local individuals whose social identity or
manner of death marked them with suspicion in some other way. Cholera epidemics
that swept across much of Eastern Europe during the 17th century may provide
one alternate explanation as to the reason behind these apotropaic mortuary
customs, as the first person to die from an infectious disease outbreak was
presumed more likely to return from the dead as a vampire.
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