Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Animals
January 17, 2024

Meet the Picasso Moth: Mother Nature’s Insect That Looks Like a Work of Abstract Art

Many people think of insects as icky, and moths particularly as the rather dull cousins of more flashy butterflies. But moths, which are much more common than butterflies with over 160,000 documented species, are far from boring and dull. They come in beautiful varieties, including the iridescent glamour of the Diva Moth, the thick fur of the Fuzzy Bunny Moth, and the Sesame-street-ready Rosy Maple Moth.

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Archeology
January 12, 2024

Pompeii Excavations Turn Up Prison Bakery Run by Enslaved Labor

Pompeii—the Roman-era village preserved under layers of ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius—has long fascinated historians. Discovered in the 18th century, excavations have been ongoing since 1748. After centuries, much still remains to be discovered and documented. Recently, during excavations of a villa, a disturbing structure emerged in the dig. The archeologists announced they found a prison-bakery, where enslaved people were forced to work alongside donkeys in brutal conditions to grind flour for bread.

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Environment
January 6, 2024

What Are Rogue Waves? Learn About This Dangerous Ocean Phenomena

The ocean is immense and powerful. Lifeguards, sailors, and marine scientists spend years training and studying to predict its changing tides. Among the most terrifying phenomena that can occur out at sea are rogue waves—which are waves that come out of nowhere and are over twice as tall as those surrounding them. Long thought to be a myth, these massive waves can be exceptionally dangerous.

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Environment
January 1, 2024

Fire-Scarred Redwoods Are Rebounding by Sprouting 1000-Year-Old Buds

In August of 2020, a horrific fire swept through California's Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Ignited by lightening, the fire was unprecedented in the scale of damage it wreaked on the ancient trees. It left behind enormous charred trunks in what had once been a lush forest. Concerned scientists thought it might be the end of these trees as we knew them.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.