Dear Jessica,
In southern Florida (where I used to live) Rattus rattus was commonly
named the roof rat owing to its climbing agility and propensity for
inhabitating the upper storeys of buildings (including my own house!).
Regarding the early references to the different habitations of black
rats and brown rats (roofs v. sewers) there is a nice quote from a 1768
rat-catcher about this - mentioned in the book The Brown Rat by Graham
Twigg 1975 p.23. You should also be aware of Graham Twigg's book The
Black Death A Biological Reaapraisal published by Batsford in 1984 in
which he refutes the idea that the black death was bubonic plague!
You might also be interested in my paper published in Antiquity Vol 68
No. 259 1995 Unwelcome companions:ancient rats reviwed, pp.231-41.
Finally, if you have time, I highly recommend Tales of A Rat-hunting
Man by Brian Plummer 1978 reptd. 1979. Although essentially describing
the behaviour of brown rat it does provide an at times highly amusing
account of the antics of rats.
Good luck with your project.
Regards,
Philip L. Armitage
>----Original Message----
>From: [log in to unmask]
>Date: 18/04/2007 14:17
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Subj: [ZOOARCH] Rattus Rattus
>
>Hi
>
>I am writing a dissertation on Black rat population in Britain and if
there
>were large enough numbers to blame the spread of the black death on
them.
>I was thinking perhaps if Black rats have some habits that would make
their
>bones more difficult to find, it may explain their rarity in the
>archaeological record. Cannabalism, funerals, bone scattering.Any
>information at all on black rats would be gratefully received
>
>Jessica
>OUDCE
>
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