La Brea Tar Pits is an active paleontological research site in urban Los Angeles. Hancock Park was formed around a group of tar pits where natural asphalt (also called asphaltum, bitumen, or pitch; brea in Spanish) has seeped up from the ground for tens of thousands of years.

Step into an Ice Age adventure. Unearth mysteries deep beneath your feet, witness fossil discoveries, and explore exhibits of mammoth proportions. Dive into a unique journey through time, as you investigate the science and history preserved by the Tar Pits.

Tar pits, sometimes referred to as asphalt pits, are large asphalt deposits. They form in the presence of petroleum, which is created when decayed organic matter is subjected to pressure underground. If this crude oil seeps upward via fractures, conduits, or porous sedimentary rock layers, it may pool up at the surface. [1]

Hancock Park is nestled among the museum and the Tar Pits. It's a fun community resource where boot camp participants meet and train, kids play next to super-sized Ice Age mammals, and Angelenos and tourists stroll and picnic.

Inside the museum, located at the center of the site, our teams work on these discoveries in the see-through Fossil Lab. The Tar Pits provide an incredibly complete record of the different plants and animals that have lived in the L.A. Basin between 50,000 years ago and today.

Inside the museum at La Brea Tar Pits (established in 1977 as the George C. Page Museum), our staff prepares these discoveries in the see-through Fossil Lab.

Inside the museum at La Brea Tar Pits (established in 1977 as the George C. Page Museum), our staff prepares these discoveries in the see-through Fossil Lab.

Jan 19, 2025 · We walked through the open gates of the La Brea Tar Pits and found ourselves inside the 23-acre park and museum. The first thing we came across was a heavily fenced-in tar pit with life size mammoths. The tar pit, which looks like a …

Jan 25, 2024 · Discover the prehistoric wonders at the La Brea Tar Pits! Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of paleontology as you explore this iconic Los Angeles attraction. Unearth ancient fossils, witness ongoing excavations, and experience the rich history of the tar pits.

Explore the world’s only active, urban Ice Age excavation site. Inside the Museum is where we showcase the best fossils, animals, and plants that have been discovered here — mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and more.