About Rancho La Brea
The museum at La Brea Tar Pits is currently closed for a two-year renovation. Indoor exhibitions and experiences are temporarily paused, but the exploration continues! Areas of Hancock Park and our active outdoor excavation sites remain open to the public. Learn more about our closure to plan your visit.
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.
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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Emily Lindsey, Ph.D.
Dr. Lindsey's research integrates information from past and modern ecosystems to understand how Ice Age animals and environments functioned.
Stephany Potze
As the Fossil Lab Manager Ms. Potze is responsible for the preparation and conservation of all the fossils at Rancho La Brea.
Gary Takeuchi
As Collections Manager, Mr. Takeuchi co-manages all of the fossils at Rancho La Brea.
Laura Tewksbury
As a Preparator at Project 23, Ms. Tewksbury is responsible for excavating fossils, training volunteers and students and sharing her expertise with the public.
Our Policies
We are part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. Find more information about our positions, policies, and processes.