- Archaeologists in Estonia have unearthed two rodents
Scientists studying preserved rats mummified in tar claim they are about to reveal the secrets of the deadly Black Death.
Archaeologists have unearthed two 650-year-old rodents and stomach and hair samples are being tested in Finland for signs of the plague.
They were found in surprisingly good condition and still have a ‘rat-like appearance’ despite dating back to 1373. told The Times.
The discovery will be broadcast on Channel 4’s Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World on April 13.
Archaeologists have unearthed two rodents and stomach and hair samples are being tested for signs of the plague in Finland (Stock Image)
They were found in surprisingly good condition and still have a ‘rat-like appearance’ despite dating back to 1373 (Stock Image)
They were discovered on the shipwreck of the Hanseatic city of Tallinn in Estonia.
Bettany told The Times: ‘A barrel of tar had fallen over and been mummified, so they were preserved in tar.
“You can’t preserve such organic material from the 14th century. It’s almost unheard of.
“My jaw was on the floor because I didn’t expect (the remains) to still look rat-like.”
Hughes talked about how the results could show which variant caused the Black Death.
Scientists hope the tests on the rats will reveal what sailors ate at the time – and that could be what the rats would have chewed too.
The 700-year-old ship has unlocked many secrets from the past after it was discovered during construction work in the Estonian capital in 2022.
In 2008, another historic wreck was also found 50 meters away.