Miracle Mile in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Project 23: Who, What, Why, Where, and How?
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 24, 2025
1. Project 23: Who, What, Why, Where, and How? Marker
We are full time Museum staff with earth science and paleontology backgrounds. We are fascinated by fossils - and we're assisted by dozens of equally fascinated volunteers. - Karin Rice, excavator
What are you doing?
We're digging for fossils. We use everything from chisels to dental tools to dig through hardened asphaltic sediment to uncover fossils. It's hard work - but every day more clues about Ice Age L.A. are being discovered! - Carrie Howard, excavator
How long does it take?
It varies greatly! The boxes range in size from 9,000 to 123,000 pounds. They contain anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of fossils. They also have an assortment of matrix types, with differing combinations of rocks, sands, silts and asphalts. -Laura Tewkshary, excavator
Why does it take so long?
When the fossils were removed from the ground, they were also removed from the asphalt that oozed around them while they were underground. So, the asphalt in these boxes has started to harden, making it even more difficult to dig through. - Sean Campbell, excavator
Where do the fossils go?
Every fossil larger than a centimeter (about 3/8 inch) is measured and taken to the Tar Pits Museum for cleaning and storage. All of the sediment (matrix) surrounding
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Paleontology.
Location. 34° 3.858′ N, 118° 21.465′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Miracle Mile. It can be reached from West 6th Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in Hancock Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5902 W 6th Street, Los Angeles CA 90036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pit 9 (a few steps from this marker); What's in the crates? (a few steps from this marker); How Did 27 Columbian Mammoths Fit in This Small Pit? (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Pit 9 (a few steps from this marker); Project 23 (a few steps from this marker); Pit 91 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pit 13 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Pit 13 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 24, 2025
2. Project 23: Who, What, Why, Where, and How? Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 34 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
