'Vampire Grave' Found in Bulgaria

An archaeologist in Bulgaria has found what he calls a "vampire grave" from the 13th century—so named because the middle-aged gent inside the coffin had a stake driven through his heart, reports UPI. That, of course, is the age-old and evidently successful way to keep someone from returning from the dead. "We have no doubts that once again we’re seeing an anti-vampire ritual being carried out," archaeologist Nikolai Ovcharov tells the Telegraph.

The skeleton of the man thought to be in his 40s was found at the site of the ancient city of Perperikon, located in what is now southern Bulgaria near the Greece border. Those who buried him drove a two-pound iron rod into his heart, and the rod remained in place until the discovery. Similar vampire graves have been found elsewhere in Bulgaria and Europe. Meanwhile, Dracula's castle is for sale in Transylvania. (More vampire stories.)