La Brea Tar Pits: A Unique Ice Age Fossil Site in Los Angeles Set for Major Renovation
‘Pompeii, but in the middle of a massive city’: the ice age fossil site hidden in Los Angeles
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, known for its rich collection of ice age fossils, is set to undergo a significant $240 million renovation starting in July 2023. The project aims to modernize the museum's facilities while preserving its unique features, enhancing public engagement and scientific literacy about the region's prehistoric past.
- 01The La Brea Tar Pits is home to over 2 million fossils, including species like mastodons and saber-toothed cats.
- 02The renovation project, set to begin in July 2023, will last for two years and cost $240 million.
- 03The design firm Weiss/Manfredi, known for notable parks and museums, has been awarded the renovation project.
- 04The museum aims to create dynamic dioramas to enhance the visitor experience and educate the public about ice age ecosystems.
- 05The site was originally discovered during an oil drilling operation in the early 20th century, revealing well-preserved fossils.
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The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, located in Los Angeles, is preparing for a major transformation with a $240 million renovation project set to begin in July 2023. This unique site, known for housing over 2 million ice age fossils, including iconic species like mastodons and saber-toothed cats, has been a significant educational resource since its opening in 1977. The renovation, awarded to the New York design firm Weiss/Manfredi, will modernize the museum's exhibition and research spaces while retaining beloved features like the Lake Pit. The project aims to enhance visibility and accessibility, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience that connects visitors with the tar pits. Museum officials emphasize the importance of scientific literacy, aiming to showcase the fossil discovery process and educate the public about the region's prehistoric ecosystems. The renovation will also update the museum's exhibits to reflect contemporary environmental concerns, engaging visitors of all ages in understanding the history of Los Angeles before human arrival. As the museum evolves, it seeks to shed its image as merely a children's attraction, inviting a broader audience to explore its rich scientific heritage.
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The renovation will enhance public access and engagement with the museum, potentially increasing tourism and educational opportunities in the area.
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