The New England Vampire Folk Belief: The Archaeological Record

The archaeological evidence behind New England’s historic vampire folklore will be explored in a virtual presentation by Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni, Connecticut state archaeologist emeritus. The program examines cases from the late 18th and 19th centuries when corpses were exhumed and altered in attempts to stop the spread of consumption, the historical term for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Bellantoni will discuss a significant archaeological discovery from an eastern Connecticut family burial ground, where researchers uncovered the rearranged skeletal remains of an adult male showing evidence of tuberculosis infection. The presentation draws on archaeological excavations, American literature, folklore and forensic research to explore how these findings help explain vampire-related folk beliefs in Connecticut.

Dr. Bellantoni is a former Connecticut state archaeologist and associate research professor in anthropology at the University of Connecticut. His research includes forensic archaeology and faunal analysis in eastern North America. His latest book, Vampires and Gallstones: Bioarchaeology and Forensic Science of Connecticut’s Historic Burial Grounds, is scheduled for publication in November 2026.

The talk will be held virtually at 7 pm on Thursday, October 8. Admission is free for Wilton Historical Society members and $10 for non-members.

For more information, contact the Wilton Historical Society at 203-762-7257.