SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgaria's history museum plans to
display a "vampire" skeleton next week after unearthing the
700-year-old remains of two men stabbed through the chest with iron
rods.
Archaeologists, excavating a monastery near the Black Sea city
of Sozopol, discovered the skeletons which were buried in a pagan
ritual that they said was aimed at keeping the men from turning
into vampires.
This was a pagan belief widespread in the Bulgarian lands in the
12th to 14th centuries. People were very superstitious then,"
National History Museum head Bozhidar Dimitrov said.
"Throughout the country we have found over 100 such 'vampire'
burials of mainly noblemen from the Middle Ages who were branded
bloodsucking immortals."
Dimitrov explained that these people were considered bad during
their lifetime and according to pagan beliefs could become vampires
after death and continue to torment the living.
"That's why they were often pierced with rods, wooden or metal,"
he said.
The Balkan country, which remained pagan until it embraced
Christianity in the ninth century, borders Romania -- birthplace of
the 15th century ruler often associated with the popular fictional
character upon which Dracula is based.
Romania's notorious 15th century ruler Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the
Impaler was no vampire, but his cruelty and name inspired the
fictional Dracula created by novelist Bram Stoker.
The finds in Bulgaria have sparked interest from vampire
enthusiasts all over the world and the small Balkan country may
seek to capitalize on its pagan heritage.
National History Museum head Bozhidar Dimitrov (R) speaks to the
media near a skeleton pierced with a piece of iron during a media
event at the National History Museum in Sofia June 14, 2012.