# Parking Lot Excavations Surprise Discovery at La Brea Tar Pits Yields 700 New Fossils By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-02-20 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-brea-tar-pits-zed-mammoth References: [uk.reuters](http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNewsMolt/idUKTRE51H7R220090218?sp=true) & [nytimes](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/us/19labrea.html?em) The [Page Museum](http://www.tarpits.org/), housed next to the La Brea Tar Pits, already possesses the world's largest collection of Ice Age fossils, but a massive find this morning has doubled its holdings. A nearly-intact mammoth skeleton was discovered in a construction zone that once was a department store parking garage near the La Brea Tar Pits. Researchers believe the mammoth to have died at the age of 40 about 40,000 years ago; over 80% of his skeleton was recovered. In addition to the mammoth skeleton, hundreds of other bones and fossils from the [prehistoric era](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinodex) were recovered at the La Brea Tar Pits site, for a grand total of about 700 specimens. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 51% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Ice Age Fossils:** The massive find at the La Brea Tar Pits presents an opportunity for scientists and researchers to study and learn more about the prehistoric era. - **Archaeological Discoveries:** Excavating parking lots and construction zones could lead to unexpected and significant archaeological discoveries, providing valuable insights into the past. - **Scientific Research:** The discovery of 700 new fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits site fuels scientific research in paleontology and contributes to our understanding of ancient ecosystems. ### Where This Applies - **Museum and Exhibition:** The Page Museum can leverage the expansion of their Ice Age fossil collection to attract more visitors and enhance educational experiences. - **Construction:** Excavation projects present an opportunity for construction companies to collaborate with archaeologists and paleontologists, ensuring the protection and preservation of significant archaeological finds. - **Education and Research:** Educational institutions can use these archaeological discoveries as a means to engage students in scientific research and studies related to paleontology and the prehistoric era. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Museum-Replicating Puzzle Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-history-museum-set.md) - [Dinosaur-Themed Puzzle Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinosaur-fossils-triceratops-skull.md) - [Dinosaur Intricate Puzzle Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinosaur-fossils-tyrannosaurus-rex.md) - [History Museum Garden Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/londons-natural-history-museum.md) - [STEM Excavation Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jurassic-world-dinosaur-dig.md) - [Cultivated Ice Age Meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mammoth-meatballs.md) - [Dinosaur Convention Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/convention-crasher.md) - [Large Archeological Museum Complex](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-egyptian-museum.md) - [Dinosaur-Themed Leather Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/labgrown-leather-ltd.md)