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I study rat nests − here’s why rodents make great archivists

  • Written by Alexandria Mitchem Hansen, Ph.D. Candidate in Anthropology, Columbia University
imageOld rat nests can contain fabrics, papers, animal bones, plant remains and other materials that have been undisturbed for hundreds of years. Andyworks/E+ Collection via Getty Images

Rats and other rodents and pests can make great archivists.

That’s because they forage food and build dens, storing fabric, paper, animal bones, plant remains and...

Read more: I study rat nests − here’s why rodents make great archivists

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