La Brea Tar Pits museum will remain closed until further notice. The park at La Brea Tar Pits is currently open and visitors can currently see paleontologists working at our excavation site weekly.  See NHMLAC's response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

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Research and Collections

The millions of plant and animal fossils excavated from La Brea Tar Pits tell the story of the Los Angeles Basin over the past 50,000 years.

Photo of the tar pits fossil lab collection

Our Research

The first discoveries happen out in the Tar Pits, but there are lots more once the fossils come into the museum.

Take a look inside
sloth toe nail specimens in fossil lab

Our Collections

The Tar Pits have given us more than 3.5 million fossil specimens (and that's us being modest).

See what we've found
excavation in pit 91

Excavations

More than 100 years of discovery.

Dig deeper
Tar Pits in Peru

Expeditions

It's true—sometimes we leave Wilshire Blvd.

Taking tar pits expertise on the road
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Volunteer at the Tar Pits

Go behind the scenes, and give the gift of your own time!

Discover with us!

Stories About the Tar Pits

Grants and Opportunities