An extraordinary discovery reported about the vampire woman found in Venice.
A wonderful find.
In the heart of romantic Venice, a city rich in history and mysteries, an ancient secret from the 16th century has finally been revealed thanks to modern technology.
The discovery of a female skeleton with an unusual detail - a brick in the mouth - captured the imagination of the public and experts alike.
Now, thanks to the meticulous work of Brazilian forensic expert Cícero Moraes, this enigmatic figure from the past has been given a face through detailed 3-D reconstruction.
Let's find out all about the vampire woman found in Venice.
Vampire woman found in Venice: 16th century beliefs related to vampirism
The story of this "vampire woman found in Venice" dates back to 2006, when during excavations on the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo, a place steeped in mystery and history, a female skeleton was found in a mass grave used in the 16th century for victims of the plague epidemic.
However, what really sparked interest was the macabre detail of the brick placed between the woman's teeth.
Particular
This particular find unearthed ancient beliefs and superstitions related to vampirism in the context of Renaissance Europe.
Funeral ritual and superstition related to vampirism
During the 16th century, the fear and confusion generated by the spread of the Black Death led to a series of irrational beliefs, including the association of vampires with the spread of disease.
Decomposed
Gravediggers of the time, witnessing the decomposed state of bodies and frightened by the sight of bodily fluids, conceived the idea that the dead fed on other bodies to gain life force.
In some cases, it is speculated that shrouds placed over the mouths of corpses had decomposed, contributing to the idea that vampires fed on human tissue.
3D reconstruction and the face of the female vampire
Detailed analysis conducted by experts suggested that the brick had been deliberately placed in the woman's mouth to prevent her from spreading the plague by biting other victims.
Cruel ritual
This cruel ritual, although motivated by fear and superstition, testifies to the extreme measures taken to cope with the epidemic and the terror that reigned at the time.
The importance of modern technology in archaeological research
The process of reconstructing the face of this enigmatic figure from the past was long and complex.
Cícero Moraes used a combination of measurements and projections of the real skull, along with a CT scan of the face of a modern individual, as a reference to fit the contours of the ancient skull.
3-D reconstruction
The 3-D reconstruction restored life and realism to the vampire woman, allowing a glimpse into the past and a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding her death and funeral ritual.
The eloquent detail of the brick in the vampire woman's mouth
In addition, Moraes accurately replicated the brick inserted into the woman's mouth, lending a tangible touch to her story.
Brutality
This eloquent detail underscores the brutality and despair of an era marked by fear and superstition, offering food for thought on the beliefs and funeral practices of the past.
The vampire woman found in Venice and her historical significance
The vampire woman found in Venice with a brick in her mouth is now more than an archaeological mystery; she has become a symbol of a dark and fascinating era in European history.
Her 3D reconstruction is a tribute to the perseverance of experts in unraveling the secrets of the past and bringing forgotten stories to light.
Extraordinary discovery
Through this extraordinary discovery, the veil of mystery is lifted, allowing the modern world to contemplate the life and death of a woman who lived in an age of terror and superstition, and who now, at last, has a face.