About Rancho La Brea

fossil work at the tar pits rancho la brea
Excavators at La Brea Tar Pits painstakingly unearth the fossils of megafauna and microfossils.

Our research group uses fossils preserved in asphaltic sediments to investigate big questions related to climate change, evolution, and paleoecology.

Because Rancho La Brea represents the largest collection of late Pleistocene asphaltic fossils in the world, we use this opportunity to train students, build collections through excavation, prepare and conserve fossils in our public viewing Fossil Lab and curate this massive collection onsite. Our staff also use these collections to study scientific questions with visiting academics. Much of the current research could not be possible without the unique geological circumstances that occur in the La Basin and the efforts of the paleontologists who came before us.

Geology around Rancho La Brea

Historic Excavations

Early Researchers at Rancho La Brea

As a place-based museum, we are also committed to engaging the communities around us, sharing our research through exhibits, and preserving this National Natural Landmark for future generations.

 

Our Staff

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Senior Paleontological Preparator, Rancho La Brea
Sean Campbell

As a Preparator at Project 23, Sean is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing his expertise with the public.

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Curator Emeritus, Ornithology
Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D.

Dr. Campbell began his tenure at the Natural History Museum in 1977 as one of two curators to fill staff positions for the newly opened George C. Page Museum, a satellite facility of the Natural History Museum.

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Preparator, Rancho La Brea
Connie Clark

As a Preparator in the lab, Ms. Clarke is responsible for preparing fossils, supervising volunteers and communicating her work with museum guests.

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Postdoctoral Fellow
J. Alberto Cruz

Alberto is a Mexican paleontologist who studies paleoecology, in particular, fossil amphibians and reptiles (toads, frogs, turtles, snakes, and lizards).

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Assistant Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Greg B. Davies

As Assistant Collections Manager, Mr. Davies participates in daily curation and collections management duties including cataloging, organizing, identifying and scanning of fossils as well as participating in the Public Outreach Programs.

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Assistant Curator, Rancho La Brea
Regan E. Dunn, Ph.D.

Dr. Regan Dunn is an Assistant Curator at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. She is a paleobotanist whose research seeks to understand the interplay between climate, plants and animal evolution through time.

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Senior Collections Manager, Rancho La Brea
Aisling Farrell

As Collections Manager Ms. Farrell has co-managed all of the fossils at Rancho La Brea for over a decade.

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Curator Emeritus, Rancho La Brea
John Harris, Ph.D.

Dr. Harris is a Curator Emeritus at Rancho La Brea.

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Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director, Rancho La Brea
Emily Lindsey, Ph.D.

Dr. Lindsey's research integrates information from past and modern ecosystems to understand how Ice Age animals and environments functioned.

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Fossil Lab Manager, Rancho La Brea
Stephany Potze

As the Fossil Lab Manager Ms. Potze is responsible for the preparation and conservation of all the fossils at Rancho La Brea.

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Grants & Opportunities

Find out how you can be part of the research happening here!

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Our Policies

We are part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. You can find more information about our positions, policies, and processes here.