Vampire folklore has been recorded by many cultures; some say that as far back as prehistoric times. Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on life essence, be it blood or energy.
The term vampire became popular in the early eighteenth century in Eastern Europe, where vampire lore became frequent. It has also been contributed to epidemics such as the black plague. The legends and superstition led to mass hysteria and people were actually accused, persecuted, and even staked for suspicion of vampirism.
People suspected of being vampires were buried in ways that were thought to stop them from coming back to life. Vampires are, after all, undead, immortal creatures. They were either beheaded, with the head placed between their knees before burial, or they were staked through the heart and buried with a brick in their mouth in hopes of preventing them from feeding if they became reanimated.
Interestingly, vampire sightings have been recorded in modern times as well. Allegations of vampire attacks have swept through Africa, London, Romania, Puerto Rico and Mexico during the last decade. There are still small communities in Europe, where much of the vampire folklore originated, that strongly believe in the existence of vampires and frequently report attacks and sightings. It is needless to say vampire hunters continue to exist in this modern age.
To read a National Geographic Daily News Article about vampire graves discovered during 2013 click HERE.
To read an article from Seeker about vampire burials uncovered in Poland in 2016 click HERE.
The term vampire became popular in the early eighteenth century in Eastern Europe, where vampire lore became frequent. It has also been contributed to epidemics such as the black plague. The legends and superstition led to mass hysteria and people were actually accused, persecuted, and even staked for suspicion of vampirism.
People suspected of being vampires were buried in ways that were thought to stop them from coming back to life. Vampires are, after all, undead, immortal creatures. They were either beheaded, with the head placed between their knees before burial, or they were staked through the heart and buried with a brick in their mouth in hopes of preventing them from feeding if they became reanimated.
Interestingly, vampire sightings have been recorded in modern times as well. Allegations of vampire attacks have swept through Africa, London, Romania, Puerto Rico and Mexico during the last decade. There are still small communities in Europe, where much of the vampire folklore originated, that strongly believe in the existence of vampires and frequently report attacks and sightings. It is needless to say vampire hunters continue to exist in this modern age.
To read a National Geographic Daily News Article about vampire graves discovered during 2013 click HERE.
To read an article from Seeker about vampire burials uncovered in Poland in 2016 click HERE.