Ancient 8.7 Million-Year-Old Fossil Ecosystem Discovered Beneath Los Angeles High School
Marine fossils dating back to as early as 8.7 million years ago have been uncovered beneath a south Los Angeles high school, revealing an ancient ecosystem that existed millions of years ago. The discoveries were made on the campus of San Pedro High School, where researchers unearthed two sites containing a treasure trove of fossils, including those of a saber-toothed salmon and a megalodon, the gigantic prehistoric shark. The findings shed light on the rich biodiversity that thrived in the region during the Miocene and Pleistocene eras.
Uncovering Ancient Treasures
The two sites where the fossils were found at San Pedro High School include an 8.7 million-year-old bone bed from the Miocene era and a 120,000-year-old shell bed from the Pleistocene era. The discoveries were made over a two-year period from June 2022 to July 2024, showcasing the meticulous work and dedication of the researchers involved in the excavation process. Richard Behl, a geologist from California State University at Long Beach, highlighted the importance of testing the chemical and mineral composition of the fossils to piece together the clues left behind by these ancient creatures.
“We have to find clues and piece those clues together to understand the ancient ecosystem that existed here millions of years ago,” Behl explained. The fossils from the Miocene era were found encased in diatomite, a sedimentary rock composed of the fossilized skeletal remains of single-cell aquatic algae. This discovery indicates that the area was once rich with algae, creating an ideal environment for a diverse range of marine creatures to thrive. Wayne Bischoff, the director of cultural resources at Envicom Corporation, emphasized the rarity of the findings, stating, “It’s the entire ecosystem from an age that’s gone. We have all this evidence to help future researchers reconstruct what an entire ecology looked like nine million years ago.”
A Glimpse into the Past
Among the fossils found beneath San Pedro High School are teeth from the juvenile megalodon, the ancestor of the great white shark, and those from mako sharks. The discovery of a jawbone from an extinct saber-tooth salmon, known for its extendable fangs, provides valuable insights into the unique species that once inhabited the region. Photographs published on various platforms showcase the diversity of fossils uncovered, including a vertebrae fossil and rib bone from an extinct dolphin species, as well as hundreds of small fish vertebrae.
Austin Hendy, assistant curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, revealed that researchers believe there was a submarine channel transporting material from shallower waters into deeper waters, along with volcanic activity in the vicinity. The unexpected nature of the discoveries has sparked excitement among the scientific community, as researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of the ancient ecosystem that existed beneath the high school grounds.
Preserving History for Future Generations
The fossils unearthed at San Pedro High School have been distributed among research and educational institutions, ensuring that they can be studied and appreciated by future generations. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, California State University Channel Islands, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are among the institutions that have received specimens for further analysis. Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of LAUSD, expressed his enthusiasm for the discoveries, stating that they have ushered in a new era of concentrated studies that will bring recognition to the community and the high school.
The discovery of the ancient fossil ecosystem beneath San Pedro High School serves as a reminder of the rich history and biodiversity that once thrived in the region millions of years ago. Through careful excavation and analysis, researchers are piecing together the puzzle of the past, shedding light on the interconnectedness of ancient ecosystems and the importance of preserving these treasures for future generations to appreciate and learn from.