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La Brea is Spanish for "the tar" ("The La Brea Tar Pits" is doubly redundant, "the the tar tar pits".) The 'tar' pits were used as a source of asphalt (for use as low-grade fuel or as a waterproofing or insulator) by early settlers of the Los Angeles area. The bones were taken for the remains of unlucky pronghorns or local cattle that had become mired.
Among the prehistoric species associated with the La Brea Tar Pits are mammoths, dire wolves, cave bears, ground sloths, and the state fossil of CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located in the western United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean. The most populous and third largest state in the U. California is both physically and demographically diverse. The state's official nickname is "The Golden State", wh, the saber-toothed cat, Smilodon californicusSmilodon californicus is a possible subspecies of Smilodon fatalis (as is Smilodon floridanus . Smilodon californicus is the California state fossil, most abundantly found in the La Brea Tar Pits where it would have been caught in tar while pursuing prey.. Much of the early work in identifying species were performed in the early 20th century19th century 20th century 21st century more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901- 2000 in the sense of the Gre by John C. MerriamJohn Campbell Merriam ( October 20, 1869 October 30, 1945) was an American paleontologist. The first vertebrate paleontologist on the West Coast of the United States, he is best known for his taxonomy of vertebrate fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los A of the University of CaliforniaThe University of California UC is a public university system within the State of California. It has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students and over 1,340,000 living alumni. The first campus was founded in 1868 in the city of Oakland while.
Radiometric datingRadiometric dating is a technique used to date materials based on a knowledge of the decay rates of naturally occuring isotopes, and the current abundances. Various methods exist differing in accuracy, cost and applicable time scale Types of radiometric d has given ages from preserved wood and bones of 38,000 years for the oldest known material from the La Brea seeps, and they are still ensnaring organisms today.Rancho La Brea is the most famous, but there are two other asphalt pits with fossils in southern CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located in the western United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean. The most populous and third largest state in the U. California is both physically and demographically diverse. The state's official nickname is "The Golden State", wh: in CarpinteriaCarpinteria is a city located in Santa Barbara County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,194. The city is famed for being home of the Santa Claus lane, named after a giant Santa Claus bust that overlooks the coastal, Santa Barbara County and McKittrick, in Kern County. There are other fossil-bearing asphalt deposits in Texas, Peru, Trinidad, Iran, Russia and Poland.
For other rich deposits of fossils, see Lagerstätten.
The tar pits, specifically the pond mammoth diorama off Wilshire Boulevard, was featured in the final scene of the movie Miracle Mile, as well as several other movies representative of Los Angeles.