EXPLORE · ANCIENT SITES
Ancient Sites in California
La Brea Tar Pits in the middle of Los Angeles has been actively excavating Ice Age fossils for over a century — summer digs still happen every year in Hancock Park. Over 3.5 million fossils from 600+ species, including a nearly complete human skeleton from 9,000 years ago, have come out of natural asphalt seeps beneath one of the most expensive real estate markets in America. The Page Museum is extraordinary. The park grounds are free.
These are curated, verified sites — every one accessible to the public on foot. Check current access conditions and hours before visiting. Explore all ancient sites on the Trek4Free map →
La Brea Tar Pits
Active Ice Age fossil excavation in the middle of Los Angeles, where natural asphalt seeps have been trapping and preserving animals for over 50,000 years. Over 3.5 million fossils from more than 600 species have been recovered — saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, mastodons, giant ground sloths, and an almost complete human skeleton from 9,000 years ago. Active excavations are ongoing; you can watch paleontologists at work during the dig season (July-August). The Page Museum on site has one of the finest Pleistocene fossil collections in the world. Located on Wilshire Blvd in Hancock Park, Los Angeles — free to visit the park grounds.
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More Ancient Sites Across the US
Petroglyphs, ruins, mounds, dinosaur tracks — interactive map with filters, all on public land.
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