Tar Pits of the World

tar pit in trinidad edited

Tar Pits of the World

Asphaltic deposits or "tar pits" present a unique opportunity to study past ecosystems because they preserve many different kinds of fossils (and lots of them!).

Tar pits are especially important for scientists in areas where fossils don't normally preserve well, such as the Neotropics. 

Zoom in and click on the map icons to learn about fossiliferous tar pits around the world!


Welcome to the B.R.E.A.S. Project where we are Bridging Research and Education at Asphaltic Sites. 

Our mission is to foster integrative research collaborations and build capacity at asphaltic fossil localities around the world. In addition to developing high-impact research collaborations with scientists working at other global tar seeps, the B.R.E.A.S. Project aims to provide student training, technical expertise, and collections support to local institutions involved in excavating, preparing, curating, and studying fossils from these localities by sponsoring staff and student exchanges between other institutions and La Brea Tar Pits. In addition, we seek to advance research programs and engage local communities by developing education and outreach programs to support local STEM education, to conserve and communicate the importance of these localities, and to support local institutions in advocating for the protection and preservation of their national fossil resources.  

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B.R.E.A.S.

Current Projects

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