Tar Pit Fossils Bird Bones in matrix

Tar Pit Fossils Bird Bones in matrixScreech owl femur with miscellaneous bird bones in matrix were recovered from the Maricopa asphalt seep in Southern California in the 1960s and 70s. Obtaining tar pit fossils is nearly impossible today, unless from an old collection or from private property. George Lee, a prominent fossil collector collected and kept quite a bit of this material in his warehouse for decades. It wasnt until his estate was liquidated in the early 2000s that it saw the

and early mammals

from abundant teeth and a scattering of bones

phosphate-driven colors and heavy mineralization that collectors immediately recognize

Even mid-sized specimens feel substantial and impressive in hand

potentially even surpassing the size of the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex

a rapid sideways snap of those tooth-lined jaws would end the hunt in an instant

Teeth are built to last

The Edmontosaurus

So rare and striking is this process that in early 80's

fascinating ecosystem

The distal carina bears serrations along its full length and deflects strongly in the labial direction

Carcharodon planus lived in warm