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17th-century Polish ‘vampire’ found buried with sickle across neck

<p dir="ltr">The remains of a woman found in a 17th-century graveyard in Poland are believed to be an example of an ‘anti-vampire’ burial after a sickle was also found placed across her neck to prevent her from rising from the dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dariusz Poliński, a professor at Nicholas Copernicus University, led the archaeological dig where the remains were uncovered, with the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11173505/Remains-VAMPIRE-pinned-ground-sickle-throat-Poland.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em> reporting that the skeleton was found wearing a silk cap and with a protruding front tooth.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up… the head would have been cut off,” Professor Poliński told the outlet.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/17th-century-poland-vampires-werent-boogeymen-out-town-girl-or-boy-next-door-180953476/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smithsonian</a></em> magazine, Eastern Europeans reported fears of vampires and began treating their dead with anti-vampire rituals during the 11th century.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e1199576-7fff-cba7-8161-75f5e8ce3f2a">By the 17th century, these practices were common across Poland in response to reports of a vampire outbreak, per <em><a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/research-reveals-the-origin-of-poland-s-mysterious-vampires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ScienceAlert</a></em>.</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/skeleton-lady1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The skeletal remains, pictured from above. Image: Łukasz Czyżewski, NCU</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Professor Poliński told the New York Post that there were other forms of protection to prevent vampires from returning from the dead, including cutting off limbs and using fire.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Other ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them, and smashing them with a stone,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The skeleton’s toe was also padlocked, which Professor Poliński said likely symbolised “the closing of a stage and the impossibility of returning”.</p> <p dir="ltr">This isn’t the first time a ‘vampire’ has been discovered by archaeologists either.</p> <p dir="ltr">Matteo Borrini, a lecturer at Liverpool John Moore University, discovered the remains of a woman who died in the 16th century and was buried with a stone in her mouth in a mass grave with plague victims.</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that outbreaks of ‘vampires’ were often associated with periods where people were dying from unknown causes at the time - such as pandemics or mass poisoning.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These ‘vampires’ start to hunt and kill family members first, then the neighbours, and then all the other villages,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is the classical pattern of a disease that is contagious.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The most recent ‘vampire’ remains, which were dug up in August, are being further investigated by scientists.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c133c871-7fff-ea85-c6ce-820b4d4d2ba2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Mirosław Blicharski</em></p>

International Travel

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Cats declared an “invasive alien species” in Poland

<p dir="ltr">A scientific institute in Poland has categorised domestic cats as an “invasive alien species”, joining a menagerie of animals on their invasive species list.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Polish Academy of Sciences has deemed the house cat (Felis catus) as an “alien” species as it was domesticated in the Middle East, and “invasive” due to the “negative influence of domestic cats on native biodiversity”, according to a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cats join a long list of animals and plants deemed an “invasive alien species” by the institute, including Japanese knotweed, racoons, clearwing moths and mandarin ducks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Academy states that cats pose “an unpredictable risk to local wildlife”, citing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989418303196?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a study</a> that shows cats kill 41.1 million mammals and 8.9 million birds each year, eating an additional 583.4 million mammals and 135.7 birds.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wojciech Solarz, a biologist at the state-run institute, told <a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-poland-wildlife-cats-birds-b942a55135832d085375de73c9cc2e23?user_email=d892765ed707c6b27af3429c2e8ec0607119ec5a15758542d760a9bac7b882a8&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=July27_MorningWire&amp;utm_term=Morning%20Wire%20Subscribers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AP</a> that the criteria to be declared an alien invasive species “are 100 percent met by the cat”.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, cat owners and lovers have expressed outrage at the decision, arguing it could incite abuse or mistreatment of cats, with concerned commenters declaring it “simply stupid and harmful” on the Academy’s Facebook page.</p> <p dir="ltr">AP has also reported that some media reports have incorrectly given the impression that the Academy was calling for cats to be euthanized.</p> <p dir="ltr">Solarz told the outlet he hadn’t expected such a response, adding that no other entry on their database of invasive and alien species had resulted in such an emotional response.</p> <p dir="ltr">He suggested that the negative feedback may be due to a misunderstanding that the Academy was implying that people harm their cats.</p> <p dir="ltr">In actuality, the Academy has only recommended that cat owners limit the amount of time their pets spend outdoors during bird breeding season.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3485969e-7fff-54f6-de1d-11099865d6bb"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Olympian who beat bone cancer sells medal to save toddler

<p>Olympic medallist Maria Andrejczyk has decided to auction off her silver medal for a very worthwhile cause. </p> <p>The Polish athlete, who won the silver medal for her outstanding performance in javelin, is auctioning off the medal to help fun a toddler's life-saving heart surgery.</p> <p>After beating bone cancer herself, the Olympian wants to help the young boy and his family pay for the operation, which comes with a hefty cost of $246,000.</p> <p>The 25-year-old athlete took to her Facebook page to call for her fans to help her. </p> <p>She said, “Miloszek has a serious heart defect. He needs an operation."</p> <p>“He already has a head start from Kubus — a boy who didn’t make it in time but whose amazing parents decided to pass on the funds they collected."</p> <p>“And in this way, I also want to help. It’s for him that I am auctioning my Olympic silver medal.”</p> <p>Maria missed out on an Olympic medal at Rio in 2016, before having to sit out the following year for a shoulder injury, which later led to her cancer diagnosis in 2018. </p> <p>After making it to the podium in Japan, she explained why she will be using her medal to help those in need. </p> <p>On a Polish television show, she said, “The true value of a medal always remains in the heart. A medal is only an object, but it can be of great value to others."</p> <p>“This silver can save lives, instead of collecting dust in a closet. That is why I decided to auction it to help sick children.”</p> <p>Maria's personal best of 71.4 metres is the third longest ever thrown by a woman in javelin, but her kind action will go much further. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make exciting announcement

<p>Just weeks after <a href="/news/news/2017/02/william-and-kate-visit-paris-first-time-since-diana-death/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">it was announced</span></strong></a> that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would be visiting Paris this month for the first time since Princess Diana’s tragic death, the Palace has confirmed two more European destinations will soon play host to the royal couple.</p> <p>“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make an official visit to Poland and Germany this July at the request of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said. “Full details will be announced in due course.”</p> <p>The tour will be Catherine’s first visit to Germany and will mark the couple’s first official trip to Poland on behalf of the Queen.</p> <p>The young royals, it is believed, will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and pay their respects during a visit to the country’s WWII concentration camp Auschwitz.</p> <p>“Whilst every royal visit is unique, each visit is designed to support foreign policy objectives and promote closer ties across a range of areas,” a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth office said, “for example cultural, economic or political, between the UK and the host country.”</p> <p>It has not yet been confirmed whether or not Prince George and Princess Charlotte will accompany their parents, but given that they tagged along to <a href="/news/news/2016/09/george-and-charlotte-at-childrens-party-in-canada/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">last year’s visit to Canada</span></strong></a>, royal watchers are hopeful they will make an appearance.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/03/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-put-on-affectionate-display-at-friends-wedding/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle put on affectionate display at friend’s wedding</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/william-and-kate-visit-paris-first-time-since-diana-death/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>William and Kate’s special tribute to Princess Diana</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/duke-and-duchess-install-new-security-measures-to-protect-george-and-charlotte/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Duke and Duchess install new security measures to protect George and Charlotte</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Why Poland is Europe's next big thing

<p>With a profusion of medieval towns, mighty castles, and an unspoiled countryside, there is enough to keep even the most energetic visitor busy.  So take a look through our selection of highlights, and discover why Poland is Europe's next big thing.</p> <p>Travel is all about timing. If you have ever been tempted by the fabled wonders of Syria, for instance – the souks of Aleppo, the ancient ruins at Palmyra, the mighty walls of Krak des Chevaliers – then clearly you have missed your moment.</p> <p>As some destinations become no-go zones, however, others move centre-stage.  Take eastern Europe.  Once hidden behind the Iron Curtain, dazzling destinations such as the stone streets of Dubrovnik, the canals of St Petersburg, and the imperial elegance of Prague and Budapest have cemented their place in the tourist brochures.</p> <p><img width="500" height="313" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/15127/shutterstock_309632951.jpg" alt="Shutterstock _309632951" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>One eastern European treasure, however, remains largely undiscovered.  For some reason, Poland has remained off the radar of all but the most intrepid travellers. Unlike its neighbours, which have shed their grim Soviet-era reputations, Poland seems unable to shake the ghosts of its tragic past.  There is no denying its dark history.  The country that was once the largest in Europe has been invaded time and again, by Germans, Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Cossacks, Ottomans, and Swedes.  In the 18th century, it disappeared altogether, partitioned between Austria, Russia, and Prussia.</p> <p>During World War II, Poland was invaded by the Nazis and the Soviets, with the former establishing their network of death camps on Polish soil.  The end of the war brought no relief.  The Iron Curtain descended on Poland, not to lift again until the tumultuous days of 1990, when the fragmenting Communist Party of Poland took the unprecedented step of dissolving itself.</p> <p>Throughout their turbulent history, the Poles have demonstrated remarkable resilience.  Today, they are turning to the task of reinventing themselves as a tourist destination.  With a profusion of medieval towns, mighty castles, and an unspoiled countryside, there is enough to keep even the most energetic visitor busy.  So take a look through our selection of highlights, and discover why Poland is Europe's next big thing.</p> <p><strong>Krakow</strong></p> <p>With spires and turrets soaring into the sky, cobbled streets, and ornate facades, Krakow delivers old-school elegance at every turn.  It's the European city that Walt Disney might have designed, right down to the castle atop the hill.  Although there is no sleeping princess in residence, in the cathedral next door the kings of Poland are enjoying their eternal slumber entombed in red marble.</p> <p><strong>Malbork</strong></p> <p>They don't get as much press as their fellow warrior monks, the Knights Templar, but the German Teutonic Knights were one of the medieval world's most formidable fighting forces.  At Malbork, south of Gdansk, they built a mighty headquarters – the largest Gothic brick castle in Europe – that still awes today. Malbork was designed to be impregnable, and for centuries repulsed every enemy attack; between the inner moat and the central courtyard alone stood seven massive gates.</p> <p><strong>Zakopane</strong></p> <p>In fairytales, the woods are always dark and threatening.  In Poland's Tatra Mountains, however, the leafy forests are wonderfully inviting.  Skiers flock here in winter to test themselves on the slopes; we prefer to visit in summer, when the quiet paths meandering through the trees tempt you to lace up your hiking boots.  Allegedly there are still bears and lynx lurking in the quieter reaches of the woods, but we are assured it is rare for visitors to encounter them.</p> <p><strong>Gdansk </strong></p> <p>The Kardashians aren't the only ones who know a thing or two about makeovers.  In the 1980s, when Lech Walesa's Solidarity movement made global headlines, Gdansk seemed a pretty grim place.  These days it is one of Europe's most gorgeous cities, its rebuilt and restored buildings bearing witness to its days as one of the continent's busiest ports.</p> <p><strong>Auschwitz</strong></p> <p>Some places need no introduction, and the site of one of the greatest mass murders in history is one of them.  Auschwitz, the Nazi extermination camp where hundreds of thousands of Jews – and others including Polish resistors, Roma, and Soviet prisoners of war – met their deaths is a place of such horror, some travellers might be tempted to give it a miss.</p> <p>However, many thousands do choose to visit Auschwitz every year, to learn, to remember, and to realise where hatred can take you.  The guided tour spares no details of the horrifying stories, from the gassings to the medical experimentation.  However, what is most moving – at least, for me and some of my companions – is the belongings of the dead, on display in heartbreaking masses.</p> <p><strong>The Masurian Lakes</strong></p> <p>Whether you are a serious sailor or just enjoy a spot of kayaking, the forest-fringed Masurian Lakes are a delightful summer playground.  At its heart lies the massive Lake Sniardwy; a series of canals and rivers links it with other canals and waterways.  The areas not covered by lakes or forests are home to rolling farmland and pretty little towns.</p> <p><strong>Wieliczka Salt Mine</strong></p> <p>When is a salt mine not a salt mine? When it is one of the country's oldest enterprises, and one of its biggest tourist attractions.  The Wieliczka Salt Mine is officially 900 years old, but the site was already being mined in ancient times.  During the Renaissance, it was one of the largest businesses in Europe; by the 18th century, it was already becoming a tourist attraction.</p> <p><strong>Wroclaw</strong></p> <p>Still, you can't blame the locals for trying to get some attention.  Provincial cities such as Wrocław and Torun get little attention from tourists, which is a shame when they are this beautiful.</p> <p>At Wrocław's heart lies a beautiful – and vast – market square; a stroll through the surrounding streets takes you past everything from Gothic churches and Renaissance tenements to ancient fortifications and Belle Epoque department stores.  In fact, Wrocław is so packed with gems that the "introductory walk" suggested by one reputable travel guide takes around five hours.</p> <p><strong>Warsaw</strong></p> <p>Warsaw is a survivor, and even amid the unlovely Soviet-style architecture, echoes of earlier times remain.  Today, locals stroll along the lovely Nowy Swiat boulevard or enjoy Chopin concerts in Lazienki Park, just as their forebears did, or head for the al fresco bars lining the banks of the Vistula river.  Warsaw even has its own burgeoning hipster scene in Praga, where former warehouses and factories are being converted into galleries, bars, and other hip hangouts.</p> <p>Written by Ute Junker. First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>.</p> <p><em><strong>No matter where you’re travelling to, making sure you know how to access your cash while away – and in the most affordable way – is very important. Easy to use and with countless benefits, the Over60 Cash Passport allows you to securely access your cash in the same way you use an ATM or credit card­. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://oversixty.cashpassport.com.au">To apply for a card today, click here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here to read more about Over60 Travel Insurance</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/01/odd-and-amazing-toilets-from-around-the-world/">12 odd (but amazing) toilets from around the world</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/01/how-i-drove-a-motorhome-around-the-world/">When I retired I drove a motorhome around the world</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/international-travel/2015/12/largest-flower-garden-in-the-world/">14 images from the world’s largest flower garden</a></strong></em></span></p>

International Travel