While working on expanding Los Angeles' subway system, diggers came face-to-face with history in the form of prehistoric fossils.
Paleontologists were present at the exploratory shaft dig happening on the Westside of LA, which was done to assess soil conditions for future of future subway expansion, reports LA Times . The dig site is located near the La Brea Tar Pits,where millions of years ago dinosaurs got stuck in the area's mud, preserving their skeletons. Paleontologists found mollusks, sand dollars, driftwood, and Monterey cypress cones at the dig site, which is 18 feet wide by 38 feet long.
The most impressive find so far has been part of a sea lions mouth, which dates back 2 million years. ABC reports that the Pacific Ocean used to extend several miles farther inland than it does today, explaining the aquatic fossils. Paleontologist Kim Scott spoke about the importance of the dig site, saying, "Here on the Miracle Mile is where the best record of life from the last great ice age in the world is found." She added that by walking on Wilshire Boulevard, the location of the dig, "you're walking along an ice age shoreline."
Officials are working to identify and preserve the artifacts, while still continuing the dig for the subway expansion. More fossils are expected to be found.
"LA's prehistoric past is meeting its subway future," noted transit authority spokesman Dave Sotero.