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Early images of rabbits help solve Easter Bunny mystery

11th or 12th century carving from Elmley Castle in Worcestershire

People out and about this weekend are being asked to help Exeter University solve the mystery of the real-life origins of the Easter bunny.


Rabbits and hares are not native to Britain and it's not clear when or why they were brought over - or why they're so closely associated with Easter.

Professor Naomi Sykes says researchers are collecting early pictures and carvings of the animals - and that's where the public can help.

They're being asked to take photos of any historical representations they see in museums, church carvings, pub signs and sculptures, and use a new app created by the research team to submit their evidence.

The app is called Ancient Animals and can be downloaded free of charge from http://easter-origins.org/media-engagement

 

 

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