Archaeologists have recently unearthed a grave from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age that was seemingly designed to contain zombies.
These ancient grave makers had their own unique strategies for ensuring that the deceased stayed put and did not come back alive to haunt the living.
The grave in question was found in Oppin, Germany. It has been dubbed a "zombie grave."
So, what makes it so special?
The State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt said in a Facebook post that a massive stone — over 3 feet long and about 1.6 feet wide — was placed on the legs of a middle-aged man buried there approximately 4,200 years ago.
This stone was four inches thick with a lot of weight.
According to a translated statement from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt, it was likely that the stone was intentionally placed to keep the dead securely in their resting place and prevent any unexpected returns.
Ancient people carefully positioned the heavy stone, believing it would hold the restless spirits down.
The State Office believes that the tomb comes from the era of the Bell Beaker culture, which thrived during the transition from the Neolithic period to the Early Bronze Age (around 2,800 BC).
“We know that already in the Stone Age people were afraid of revenants,” Susanne Friederich, an archaeologist with the state office and project manager for the excavations told Newsweek.
“Back then, people believed that dead people sometimes tried to free themselves from their graves. Sometimes, the dead were laid on their stomachs. If the dead lies on his stomach, he burrows deeper and deeper instead of reaching the surface.”
Some graves revealed that simply laying the dead on their stomachs wasn't enough; additional measures, like securing the body with a lance through the torso, were taken.
Archaeologists found the remains of a man aged between 40 and 60. He was laid to rest in a crouched position on his side, with the oversized stone firmly pinning down his legs. Interestingly, no lance was needed in this case.