Scientists Rebuild Face of 400-year-old Polish 'Vampire'

A three-dimensional reconstruction of Zosia's face, a woman buried as a vampire, is pictured, in this undated handout photo taken in Stockholm, Sweden. Oscar Nilsson - Project Pien/Handout via REUTERS
A three-dimensional reconstruction of Zosia's face, a woman buried as a vampire, is pictured, in this undated handout photo taken in Stockholm, Sweden. Oscar Nilsson - Project Pien/Handout via REUTERS
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Scientists Rebuild Face of 400-year-old Polish 'Vampire'

A three-dimensional reconstruction of Zosia's face, a woman buried as a vampire, is pictured, in this undated handout photo taken in Stockholm, Sweden. Oscar Nilsson - Project Pien/Handout via REUTERS
A three-dimensional reconstruction of Zosia's face, a woman buried as a vampire, is pictured, in this undated handout photo taken in Stockholm, Sweden. Oscar Nilsson - Project Pien/Handout via REUTERS

Buried with a padlock on her foot and an iron sickle across her neck, "Zosia" was never supposed to be able to come back from the dead.
Entombed in an unmarked cemetery in Pien, northern Poland, the young woman was one of dozens feared by her neighbors to have been a "vampire".
Now, using DNA, 3D printing and modelling clay, a team of scientists has reconstructed Zosia's 400-year-old face, revealing the human story buried by supernatural beliefs, Reuters reported.
"It's really ironic, in a way," said Swedish archaeologist Oscar Nilsson. "These people burying her, they did everything they could in order to prevent her from coming back from the dead... we have done everything we can in order to bring her back to life."
Zosia, as she was named by locals, was found in 2022 by a team of archaeologists from Torun's Nicolaus Copernicus University.
Aged 18-20 when she died, analysis of Zosia's skull suggests she suffered from a health condition which would have caused fainting and severe headaches, as well as possible mental health issues, Nilsson said.
The sickle, the padlock and certain types of wood found at the grave site were all believed at the time to hold magical properties protecting against vampires, according to the Nicolaus Copernicus team.
Zosia's was Grave No. 75 at the unmarked cemetery in Pien, outside the northern city of Bydgoszcz. Among the other bodies found at the site was a "vampire" child, buried face down and similarly padlocked at the foot.
Little is known of Zosia's life, but Nilsson and the Pien team say items she was buried with point to her being from a wealthy — possibly noble — family.
The 17th century Europe she lived in was ravaged by war, something Nilsson suggests created a climate of fear in which belief in supernatural monsters was commonplace.
Nilsson's recreation began with creating a 3D printed replica of the skull, before gradually building layers of plasticine clay "muscle by muscle" to form a life-like face.
He uses bone structure combined with information on gender, age, ethnicity and approximate weight to estimate the depth of facial features.
"It's emotional to watch a face coming back from the dead, especially when you know the story about this young girl," Nilsson says.
Nilsson said he wanted to bring Zosia back "as a human, and not as this monster that she is buried as".



Noor Riyadh 2024: World’s Largest Light Art Festival Returns with Over 60 Installations

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
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Noor Riyadh 2024: World’s Largest Light Art Festival Returns with Over 60 Installations

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA

Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival, has returned under the Riyadh Art Project. Running from November 28 to December 14, 2024, the festival spans three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District.

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.”
This year’s festival includes contributions from 18 Saudi artists alongside 43 international creators. Participating artists include Architect Saad Al-Howede, Artist Asmaa Aljohani, Artist Anna Ridler, Artist Jiyen Lee, Artist Stefano Cagol, Artist Krista Kim, Artist Stanza, Artist Javier Riera, Studio Atelier Sisu, and Artist Ryoji Ikeda, SPA reported.
Director of Riyadh Art Project Architect Khalid Al-Hazani emphasized Noor Riyadh’s vision of transforming the city into an accessible and inspiring artistic space where creativity flourishes in public areas. Festival Director Nouf Almoneef highlighted Noor Riyadh as a beacon of creativity and connection, inviting visitors to explore this year’s theme through a vibrant collection of installations across Riyadh.
Curators Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag and Dr. Alfredo Cramerotti present Light Years Apart as an exploration of the profound connection between Althara (the earth) and Althuraya (the stars), reflecting on humanity’s journey from its current realities to its greatest aspirations.
The festival’s installations are strategically placed across its three hubs, reflecting Riyadh’s historical and cultural significance. The King Abdulaziz Historical Center bridges the city’s past and future, Wadi Hanifah provides a natural backdrop, and JAX District serves as an interactive space blending digital creativity, art, and technology.
Prominent installations include Artist Chris Levine’s Higher Power (2024), a city-wide light projection from the Al Faisaliah Tower delivering a Morse code message of hope and unity visible across Riyadh. In Wadi Hanifah, Artist Daan Roosegaarde’s SPARK creates a mesmerizing display of biodegradable floating sparks, while Shifting Perspectives by Saudi Artist Maryam Tariq explores perceptual ambiguity through pixelated imagery at Digital City.
At the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Studio United Visual Artists’ Aether features 1,500 drones performing a synchronized light show, while Artist Rashed AlShashai’s The Fifth Pyramid uses illuminated pathways to reimagine the ancient structure, symbolizing Riyadh’s transformation into a global art capital.
Noor Riyadh also offers dynamic community projects, including free workshops, guided tours, family activities, and interactive events. Adults can participate in photography and mixed media workshops, while children engage in creative activities like crafting kaleidoscopes and puppetry.
Since its inception in 2019, Riyadh Art has showcased over 500 artworks by more than 500 artists, welcoming over six million visitors. Noor Riyadh has achieved 14 Guinness World Records, solidifying its status as the most impactful light art festival globally. With its 2024 edition, Noor Riyadh continues to position Riyadh as a hub of culture, innovation, and artistic expression.