Fossils from 8.7m years ago discovered under LA high school

Marine fossils dating back 8.7 million years have been discovered beneath a high school in south Los Angeles. The findings were made between June 2022 and July 2024, revealing two significant sites: an ancient bone bed from the Miocene era and a shell bed from the Pleistocene era. Notable fossils include those of a saber-toothed salmon and a megalodon, indicating a diverse marine ecosystem that once thrived in the area. Richard Behl, a geologist from California State University at Long Beach, noted that the fossils were encased in diatomite, a sedimentary rock formed from fossilized algae. This suggests that the region was once rich in algae, supporting a variety of marine life. The discovery of these fossils provides valuable insights into the ecological conditions of the past, as well as the geological processes that shaped the area. Wayne Bischoff, director of cultural resources at Envicom Corporation, emphasized the rarity of such findings, stating that they offer a glimpse into an entire ecosystem from nearly nine million years ago. The fossils have been distributed to various research and educational institutions, including the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, to aid in further research and education. The unexpected nature of these discoveries has sparked interest among researchers, with Austin Hendy from the Natural History Museum suggesting that a submarine channel may have contributed to the deposition of these fossils. The findings not only enhance our understanding of ancient marine environments but also highlight the importance of preserving such sites for future scientific exploration.