more recent rat mummies found in buildings are often dessicated, and
therefore well preserved, just because the animals got poisoned. A set of
toxic agents, such as Warfarin or difenacum, are anti-coagulantia and rely
on causing internal bleeding, making the animals dry out and die slowly on
their nest, instead of collapsing immediately on the feeding spot (which
would stress other members of the population). Of course, this is a
20th-century phenomenon. However, already during the (European) late middle
ages (13th - 14th century AD), substances such as arsenicum were used to
destroy rodents and, if I'm not completely wrong, this is also a dessicating
agent. At least, I know it was used formerly by taxidermists for that
purpose (e.g., to inject in bird wings). Other substances can well have had
the same effect.
A reference for all this:
ERVYNCK, A., MEILLANDER, V. & VAN DE WALLE, R. (1991). Ratman. Een verhaal
van mensen en ratten. Gent: Dienst Culturele Zaken, Museum voor Volkskunde.
(208 pp.)
It's in Dutch, a beautiful language and easy to learn!
Anton Ervynck
Institute for the Archaeological Heritage
of the Flemish Community
Doornveld 1 box 30
B-1731 Zellik-Asse
Belgium
tel. ++ 32 2 481 80 38
fax ++ 32 2 481 80 56
|