Hi Tom - mummified rats are one of things that 'everyone' knows about,
but that prove to be difficult to run down in the, as it were, flesh. In
'The Archaeology of Ritual and Magic', Ralph Merrifield mentions quite a
menagerie of mummified animals found in buildings, including rats (pp.
128-130). These include specimens from London, so I would try asking
the Museum of London, and one from Pilton, NOrthants, allegedly in
Peterborough Museum. On the whole the rat records are associated with
cats, which were far more commonly incorporated into buildings as some
sort of charm. A cat plus rat were supposedly found behind the organ in
Dublin Cathedral - I wonder where those two animals are now?
Good luck with the search.
Terry O'Connor
Tom Gilbert wrote:
>
> Dear All,
> I am a researcher at Oxford University working in the field of Ancient DNA. I
> recently read an article in 'British Archaeology' refering to a medieval
> practice of mummifying black rats to be used to ward off the plague. I am
> currently searching for such specimens, and if any members know of any 14th-
> 17th C mummified black rats, I would be most obliged if they would share
> their knowlege with me.
> Thanks for your help
> yours
> Tom Gilbert
>
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