Archeologists discovered a 17th-century Polish 'vampire' with a sickle across her neck meant to prevent a return from the dead

The remains of a female "vampire" were found in a 17th-century Polish graveyard, with a sickle covering her neck to keep her from rising from the dead.

The remains were found wearing a silk cap and with a protruded front tooth, according to a report.

Mirosław Blicharski

If the person had tried to get up, the head would have been cut off.

The citizens of Eastern Europe began treating their dead with anti-vampire rituals in the 11th century because they believed that some people who died would claw their way out of the grave.

According to Science Alert, such burial practices became common across Poland in response to a vampire outbreak.

Mirosław Blicharski

Cutting off the head or legs is one of the ways to protect against the return of the dead.

The remains of a woman in Poland were found with a spear across her neck and a padlock on her toe.

The toe on the skeleton's left foot was padlocked to symbolize the closing of a stage and the impossibility of returning.

Poliski did not reply immediately.