Bones, Beliefs and Identity: The Mystery of a ‘Vampire’ Skeleton

What can a skeleton reveal about who someone was and why would a community bury a person as a “vampire”? In this hands on Festival of Archaeology workshop, you’ll step into the world of bioarchaeology, the science of uncovering past lives through human remains. Led by Dr Allison Stewart (University of Lancashire, Preston, England), you’ll explore what bioarchaeologists actually do and then dive into a real case study: a so-called vampire skeleton discovered in a 17th–18th century cemetery in Poland.

Participants will first have the opportunity to learn basic skeletal anatomy with plastic skeletons and discuss what kinds of information archaeologists can learn from a skeleton. You’ll work together to think about identity, what makes us unique, how we show connections to others, and what traces of our lives we leave behind.

Then we’ll turn to the archaeological evidence from the “vampire” burial and piece together how scientists reconstructed this person’s story. Pictures/print outs of vampire skeletons and different types of artefacts and evidence related to their investigation will be provided through the workshop as participants work to figure out who these people might have been.

Come ready to investigate, discuss, and rethink what it means to understand someone from the past!

The session will be split into two parts with a break in between. Soft drinks and biscuits will be provided.

£5 per ticket. Booking essential. Suitable for ages 13+. Book online at https://www6.apps.lancashire.gov.uk/w/webpage/event-details?eventid=3874267

**This workshop will include photographs of archaeological human remains**

This talk is part of our programme of events celebrating the Festival of Archaeology, 2026. Visit our What’s on pages to find out more. https://www6.apps.lancashire.gov.uk/w/webpage/all-events?service=ALL&q=archaeology&matchOn=any&areas=Ribble+Valley%2COnline&venues=Clitheroe+Castle+Museum

Clitheroe Castle Museum is managed by Lancashire County Council’s Museum Service on behalf of Ribble Valley Borough Council.