The Truth Behind Poland s Anti-Vampire Graves atlasobscura.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from atlasobscura.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The remains of a small child, buried face down with a padlock tied to its feet, have revealed the shocking extremes of vampire mania in 17th century Poland.
Apotropaic magic is designed to ward off or control evil. In vampire fiction, as well as in real life in cultures that include a belief in vampires, apotropaic objects might be crucifixes, cloves of garlic, etc. Apotropaic methods are known to have been used in burials.