Researchers have successfully reconstructed the face of a man thought to be a 'real' vampire, unearthed from a burial site in the fortress of Racesa in Croatia. This skeletal remains, dating back to the 15th or 16th century, were part of over 180 burial sites discovered in the area, which lies approximately 115 kilometers southeast of the Croatian capital. The scientists determined that the man could have been a soldier or someone regularly exposed to violent confrontations based on the numerous and severe injuries found on his remains.

The burial practices surrounding the individual have puzzled experts, especially given the extreme measures taken to prevent the man from rising from the grave. The absence of typical signs of injury around the neck and shoulders during the decapitation process has prompted speculation about the rituals performed on the body, suggesting a deliberate act of dismemberment that goes beyond natural decomposition or environmental damage. Such findings indicate that the burial was not merely a response to death but intertwined with cultural beliefs about mortality and the fear of the undead.

This discovery adds another layer to our understanding of historical attitudes towards death and disease during the early modern period, particularly in regions like Croatia that have rich folklore surrounding vampires. The implications of this research extend not only into anthropology and archaeology but also into the study of cultural practices related to death and the human condition, providing insights that reveal how societies have coped with the unknown and the taboo surrounding death.