Members Talk: The Archaeology of Vampires
Could vampire myths be rooted in reality? Explore eerie burial practices, archaeological evidence and surprising explanations behind so-called ‘vampire’ graves across Europe.
Could vampire myths be rooted in reality? Explore eerie burial practices, archaeological evidence and surprising explanations behind so-called ‘vampire’ graves across Europe.
Image: Jonathan FarberUnsplash
6pm: Drinks & canapés in the Members Lounge
6.30pm - 7.30pm: Talk and audience Q&A
For centuries, cultures around the world have told stories of the dead returning to life. From ancient folklore to Bram Stoker's Dracula and Hollywood's Nosferatu, these tales have shaped the vampires we know today.
But could there be some truth behind the myths?
Archaeologists have uncovered unusual burials across Eastern and Central Europe dating from the 16th to 19th centuries - often dubbed 'vampire burials' by the media. Found in countries including Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic, these graves show striking departures from typical burial practices. Bodies have been buried face down, weighed down, fitted with bricks placed in the mouth, or even subjected to decapitation or piercing.
These practices align with folkloric traditions intended to prevent the dead from returning - but what do they really tell us?
This talk explores the archaeological and bioarchaeological evidence behind so-called 'vampire' burials. Were these measures driven by fear, or do they reflect responses to disease, social stigma or cultural beliefs? We will unpack the science, challenge popular interpretations, and consider how we can approach these remains ethically today.
Warning: This talk includes images of human remains.
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Dr Craig Barker
© Craig Barker
Dr Craig Barker is an archaeologist and museum educator, currently Manager of Education and Experience at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD in Mediterranean archaeology and leads the University of Sydney’s Paphos Theatre Archaeological Project, excavating at the World Heritage–listed site of Nea Paphos in Cyprus.
Craig has extensive fieldwork experience across Cyprus, Australia, Greece and Turkey. His research spans ancient Cyprus, the Hellenistic wine trade, theatre architecture, museum education and archaeology in popular culture, with numerous publications and presentations to his name.
He also hosts the museum’s Object Matters podcast and was a regular contributor to ABC Radio’s Can You Dig It segment from 2016 to 2022, sharing archaeological insights with a broad public audience.
