Possible Origins Of The Vampire Legend: An Accidental Exploration Of The Human Psyche

Part I of Essay
Throughout history the legend of the vampire has been used to "explain" other natural phenomena that primitive people who lacked scientific knowledge could not otherwise explain. Such medical conditions such as Anemia, Catalepsy, and especially Poryphyria were much easier ....

Part II of Essay
.... dead, because they were. Corpses unearthed during the Black Death(Bubonic Plague), rooted firmly the ideas of bloodthirsty undead beings in the collective unconscious, especially since it was thought that vampires spread the disease. When people began to die in great numbers, graves became in greater demand, and dead bodies would be left out for days at a time. Eventually, the body would decompose and exhibit what is called "skin slippage", where the top layer of skin would begin to flake away, making the hair and nails appear to have grown. ....