Capromeryx terminal phalanx found in Box 14
Feb 16, 2012
Discovered this week in Box 14 by volunteer Beau, this tiny fossil is a terminal phalanx of a juvenile dwarf pronghorn, Capromeryx minor. It's an element that none of us current excavators had ever come across before! In fact, out of all the 602 records of Capromeryx minor in all of the collections here, only seven are terminal phalanges. Within Project 23, there are 40 records of Capromeryx minor so far. Five have been found in Box 14 and indicate at least one adult and one juvenile in that deposit so far.
Capromeryx minor belongs to the family Antilocapridae, which are pronghorn and native to North America. This family is represented only by a single species today, Antilocapra americana. Interestingly, the extinct dwarf pronghorn is more commonly found at Rancho La Brea.
A shrew incisor
Feb 10, 2012
This tiny black tooth (a right lower incisor) measuring about 1mm, was just identified in the Fishbowl Lab under the microscope. It is pictured here with the complete right lower jaw of a modern specimen of long-tailed shrew (genus Sorex) for comparison. The red on the tips of the teeth is accumulated iron which may function to strengthen the enamel. The diet of a shrew consists mainly of arthropods and their closest relative is the mole. Either due to their diminutive size or their rarity in the L.A. basin, there are only 20 specimens known from the tar pits. It is not possible to tell which species this is based on this tooth.
Zed’s left tusk plaster jacket is open in the Fishbowl Lab
Feb 1, 2012
Finally, after tens of thousands of years, our Columbian mammoth Zed’s left overgrown incisor sees the light of day. Well that is except for the few days when it was discovered and before it was covered with a protective plaster jacket. On public view in the Fishbowl Lab we have begun the process of carefully removing the protective plaster jacket to reveal the tusk. Thus far it looks to be well preserved with some asphalt on the surface between the sediment and the tusk. The preparation will probably take some time in order to protect the integrity of the dentine which flakes easily. This specimen is one of a pair that we discovered belonging to a single mammoth. They are the most complete tusks ever found and recovered from Rancho La Brea!
Broken and healed tibiotarsus of a bird
Jan 24, 2012
Among the recent discoveries at Project 23 is this exquisite left tibiotarsus (shin bone) of a large bird of prey, probably a Golden Eagle. This is no ordinary shin bone, however. As you can see, the asphalt has preserved something from the life history of this bird — a healed compound fracture in the middle of the bone. This paleopathology also shows evidence of massive infection. The interesting thing to note is that this broken leg did not kill this animal since it lived long enough to show extensive healing. There are lots of examples of healed injuries and evidence of diseases preserved in the bones at the La Brea Tar Pits — just one more reason why this collection is so special.
It's time to glop
Jan 10, 2012
We are taking a break from excavating at Project 23 this morning to take care of some maintenance in Pit 91. Since this site is the lowest point in Hancock Park, water accumulates here. We are also constantly battling the seeping asphalt that clogs the drainage channels and covers the fossils. Suited up in protective gear, we are removing the asphalt by hand (known as glopping) and cleaning out the debris that has fallen in over the past few months.
Delicate articulated beetle leg discovered in Box 14!
Jan 4, 2012
Box 14 is turning out to be a very rich microfossil deposit. Careful excavation techniques revealed this articulated beetle leg still attached to its abdomen after tens of thousands of years!
Bird Skull!
Dec 19, 2011
Recently, an in-tact bird skull (not yet identified) was found in box 14. This is a rare find because 1. skulls are fragile and 2. most bird skulls have a "hinge" that attaches the beak to the skull that is easily broken.
Welcome to the New Website!
Dec 11, 2011
We want to introduce and welcome everybody to our newly-designed website. If you ever looked at the last incarnation of the site, you know it was, um, a little out of date.
We think you'll be happy with what we've done. There are videos, beautiful photography, an interactive map of Hancock Park, a little history, a tip of the hat to the excavators and scientists who came before us, and descriptions of our collections and exhibits.
Check it out!
