Pochówki atypowe na cmentarzyskach zachodniopomorskich w dobie chrystianizacji
Unusal burials in West Pomerania in the times of Christianization

Summary/Abstract: Burial practices are among the most impervious to changes of habits. During the Christianization period there were distinct attempts to integrate pagan customs with the Christian religion. The form of the ground grave as well as positioning of the body on the back fulfiled requirements of the new religion – Christianity. Putting gifts into graves was connected with pagan beliefs that the deceased are able to affect the world of the living. The clearest example of these beliefs are anti-vampire practices. They aimed at elimination of the threat that could be posed by the dead. This article presents the archeological traces of anti-vampire rituals discovered in graveyards of West Pomerania.

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