Imagine you are walking along the former streets of Los Angeles and suddenly you are immobile, unable to walk. You look down and your feet have sunk only 5 inches into the asphalt. You are not just a little stuck, but rather completely unable to free yourself. As you struggle, terrified you and suddenly feel the huge teeth of a sabre tooth cat as it ends your suffering. If it sounds like the start of an action thriller then you probably haven’t visited the La Brea Tar Pits.
Located right in the center of Los Angeles, it is home to the world’s largest collection of ice age fossils with over 3.5 million fossil bones. The pits are not actually tar, but rather the crude oil which seeps through the ground and mixes with sediment, creating asphalt.
When my daughter asked about the bubbles, our guide Gustavo explained they are escaping methane gas.
“Farts?” my daughter couldn’t resist questioning.
Actually, the story unfolded a bit like an action adventure set between 60,000 and 11,000 years ago, as ice age herbivores and their predators became trapped at La Brea. Early excavation and initial discovery continued from 1907 until the rights to excavate the land was gifted to the National History Museum. In 1929 elephants escaped from the zoo, walked through the pits and got stuck with only five inches of their legs submerged, thus helping palaeontologists to understand how so many animals had ended up preserved here.
Outside we visited Pit 91, where we could see through the protective glass the remains of (red flag) a Harlan’s Ground Sloth pelvis and (blue flag) a Western Horse radius.
La Brea Tar Pits – Pit 91
Next, we entered the “old museum,” the Observation Pit, the first pit to be excavated.
La Brea Tar Pits Observation Pit
“I remember this room from when I was a child,” hubby added. (Pretty cool that he found this interesting enough to remember from childhood). Did I mention that hubby was our original motivation for today’s visit? Turns out his memory that La Brea Tar Pits are really interesting was right on target. This is a fascinating place for scientists like hubby, kids, teens and even me!
Especially Project 23, where palaeontologists carefully sift through 23 crates of sediment which were carefully gathered from the ground across the street before it was converted to a parking lot. We watched through the fence.
La Brea Tar Pits Project 23
After we explored all of the outdoor pits we ventured inside the Page Museum. Here we saw the animal bones put back together like a puzzle. Imagine building this woolly mammoth.
Inside we can also watch the palaeontologists at work through the giant fishbowl lab.
If you find yourself in Los Angeles, La Brea Tar Pits is one place I would recommend you visit.
You can read more about them at their official webpage.
All photos on this page © Rhonda Albom 2013. All Rights Reserved.
The ancients are a fascinating part of our USA discovery, but if you are seeking a few more modern stars while in Los Angeles, don’t miss the hand and foot prints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the incredibly lifelike replicas at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, or a chance to see the set of the Big Bang Theory (and much more) on a Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
Have you been to Los Angeles? Did you visit the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum? Where have you seen ice age fossils?
Disclaimer: La Brea Tar Pits arranged for our entry and a private tour. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
stevebethere
I couldn’t help but laugh at the name and the fart remark heheh! enjoyed the photos Rhonda
Leonard
It sounds interesting. I’ve never been there before but I’ll check it out next time I’m in LA with my boys.
Pete
I’ve been to the tar pits and I’ve had a tour. It’s totally amazing.
Julie
It’s amazing what happened to the elephants in 1929. Thanks for sharing this Rhonda, as I know my family would also enjoy going there.
Lynne
I’ve heard of the tar pits – unfortunately not before my visit to LA years ago. It sounds like a fascinating place. Hopefully I’ll return to LA one day so I can see it for myself
Hilary
Hi Rhonda .. so pleased hubby’s memories and suggestion to go back – brought such pleasure .. and definitely if I ever get to LA – I’ll visit the tar pits – sound so interesting ..
This journey looks so much fun … cheers Hilary
Donna
We have been here before too. It is as cool as you describe it. LOL – funny that your hubby remembers it.
Miss Lemon
Forgive my earlier comment, I spoke rashly, from jealousy. In fact, please delete it and allow me to say That I’ve been enjoying ALL of your travels.
Miss Lemon
How wonderful to see the tar pits first hand!
Sharon
What a great find! We are passing through LA in August. I’ll bet my family would love this place. We will have to check it out. Thanks Rhonda.
Comedy Plus
I’ve been to L.A. many times but never been there. I aim to get out of L.A. as fast as I can. Been all over San Diego, but not much in L.A.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I’ve been to LA, but we didn’t stop to see the Tar Pits. That’s cool you got to see the old section. And I always wondered how so many creatures got stuck as well.