fossil preparators excavation pit 91 la brea tar pits

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Discoveries

Exhibitions

Pressure: James Cameron Into the Abyss

Explore the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER
Dec 12, 2022–Feb 20, 2023
 

Scanning Electron Microscope Lab

See how big discoveries can come from the tiniest things in the Gem and Mineral Hall.

Exhibition | NHM
Dinosaur Hall

Step Into Our Award-winning Exhibition, and Enter the Age of Dinosaurs

Exhibition | Tar Pits
Fossil Lab

What happens after the fossils at La Brea Tar Pits are excavated? This is where you find out.

Exhibition | Tar Pits
3D Theater

Travel back in time with Titans of the Ice Age.

Fri

03

May

Tar Pits

Excavator Tour

Tours & Shows All Ages
  • 1 pm

The Excavator Tour explores the Fossil Lab where real paleontologists work, our historic excavation sites, and Project 23, where live excavations can be seen. Monday through Friday at 1 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am and 1 pm, and an additional holiday tour March 25–29 at 10:30 am. Schedule subject to change.

Fri

03

May

Tar Pits

Discoveries From the Tar Pits

Talks All Ages
  • 3:30 pm

Drop by to learn some of the lesser known stories of the Tar Pits, including active research and recent discoveries. Topics change daily.

Sat

04

May

Tar Pits

Excavator Tour

Tours & Shows All Ages
  • 10:30 am
  • 1 pm

The Excavator Tour explores the Fossil Lab where real paleontologists work, our historic excavation sites, and Project 23, where live excavations can be seen. Monday through Friday at 1 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am and 1 pm, and an additional holiday tour March 25–29 at 10:30 am. Schedule subject to change.

Sat

04

May

Tar Pits

Discoveries From the Tar Pits

Talks All Ages
  • 3:30 pm

Drop by to learn some of the lesser known stories of the Tar Pits, including active research and recent discoveries. Topics change daily.

Sun

05

May

Tar Pits

Excavator Tour

Tours & Shows All Ages
  • 10:30 am
  • 1 pm

The Excavator Tour explores the Fossil Lab where real paleontologists work, our historic excavation sites, and Project 23, where live excavations can be seen. Monday through Friday at 1 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am and 1 pm, and an additional holiday tour March 25–29 at 10:30 am. Schedule subject to change.

Discover more

Project Phoenix: Investigating Bird Responses to Smoke

This groundbreaking community science project seeks to understand how wildfire smoke is impacting birds.

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Girls in STEM Days

Join us for Girls in STEM Days at the Natural History Museum! Girls in STEM Days are an opportunity for girls ages 8-18 to participate in hands-on STEM activities, meet real scientists, and explore future career paths in a fun and engaging way.

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Happy Hour: Getting Really Small with Dr. Jody Martin

Join Dr. Jody Martin on a tour of "the very very small" - from tiny marine invertebrates to the heads of insects to snowflakes and pollen grains and more - to learn about the Museum's brand new electron microscope and how it will be used in research, education, and exhibits!

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News & Press

Burro-ing Into the Past

A new study reveals that introduced donkeys and indigenous pumas are helping to resurrect extinct food webs in Death Valley.

Eating bamboo? It's all in the wrist.

An ancient fossil reveals the earliest panda to survive solely on bamboo and the evolutionary history of panda's false thumbs

Earth’s First Giant

The two-meter skull of a humongous new ichthyosaur species, Earth’s first known giant creature, reveals how both the extinct marine reptiles and modern whales became giants
 

Tooth Fast, Tooth Curious?

A new study uncovers a novel approach to a plant-based diet, unique to long-necked dinosaurs

These Hips Don’t Lie: 3D Imaging of a Pelvis Suggests Social Care for Saber-Tooths

A new study reveals saber-toothed cats suffered from hip dysplasia, an affliction common in pet cats and dogs, and points to supportive social structures for Smilodon.