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.
Archeology
July 8, 2023

2,700-Year-Old Petroglyphs Are Discovered Under Moss in Sweden

Cave art records the adventures of early humans—whether it be hunting beasts, building boats, or making handprints on the walls. It can also tell archeologists a lot about the economies and beliefs of Bronze Age communities. While this art form mainly died out after the invention of writing, a late example from 2,700 years ago has just been discovered on a farm in Sweden.

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Animals
July 2, 2023

19th-Century Map Shows That Beaver Dams Can Last Over a Century

The American beaver is a mighty creature. Once incredibly numerous, they figured heavily in indigenous worldviews in the Americas. When Europeans arrived, they prized the beaver for its pelt, and it was hunted almost to extinction over the following centuries. However, these small mammals have been part of another enduring legacy through their effect on the changing American landscape.

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Health
June 27, 2023

Researchers Say Short Daytime Naps May Support Brain Health

Despite leaps and bounds in the past century, neuroscience remains both fascinated and challenged by the mystery of sleep. Sleep science intersects with neuroscience and countless other scientific fields due to the whole-body nature of rest. Similarly, aging is a process which affects the whole body, especially the brain. The brain atrophies and shrinks as one ages, and greater shrinkage is associated with greater cognitive declines.

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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.