To the scientist, history doesn't start with the written record. Messages from the past tell us about the Chihuahuan Desert Region as it was many thousands of years ago. These informative missives take many forms, but one of the most interesting is the packrat midden.
Middens are a combination garbage heap and toilet.
The rodents exploit a small area around their dens, collecting plants for food as well as debris to protect their nests. Deposits of dehydrated packrat urine, forming an antibacterial agent known as amberat, help preserve the leftovers. Middens may last for over 40,000 years when located within such protective areas as caves and rock shelters. The various layers can be radiocarbon dated, placing the deposits into a timeline. The preserved flowers, leaves, and stems tell us what was growing within a few hundred feet of the den and when they grew there, creating a history of plant change through time.