The Museum at La Brea Tar Pits is temporarily closed for construction. Many outdoor areas of Hancock Park remain open. Learn More.

Oil Underfoot: Exploring the Geology of the Tar Pits

Why do we find so many fossils here?

 

We’ve excavated over 3.5 million fossils from the La Brea Tar Pits, and we’re still digging! Why do we find SO many fossils here? Gallery Interpreter Michelle Vanegas explains the set of conditions that came together to create this incredibly rich deposit of fossils, right in the middle of Los Angeles!

NGSS Alignment: MS-LS4-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3, HS-ESS1-5