Did this rat carry the PLAGUE? 'Mummified' rodent found during building renovations dates back to the Black Death

The rat (pictured) was discovered in the late 1990s in Cornwall. It was originally found covered in black hair, which has since faded. It is said to be more than 650 years old, and experts believe it may have been interred while still alive, to protect the homeowners. But, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s body +3 The rat (pictured) was discovered in the late 1990s in Cornwall. It was originally found covered in black hair, which has since faded. It is said to be more than 650 years old, and experts believe it may have been interred while still alive, to protect the homeowners. But, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s body However, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s body. The mummified remains were found during renovations to the staircase at 107 The Terrace, Penryn. It was originally covered in black hair, but this has faded since the rat was removed. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2774983/Mummified-rodent-building-renovations-dates-Black-Death.html#ixzz3FBUOvBs3 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook