BE ADVISED: On Thursday, October 17 our museums will participate in a brief earthquake drill. Guests will hear an overhead announcement, but are not required to participate, nor will the building be evacuated. Please plan your visit accordingly or contact us at info@nhm.org or 213.763.DINO if you have any questions or would like to reschedule your visit.

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Our Expeditions and Excavations

Where do our collections come from?

Sometimes they come from our own expeditions and exploration—whether on the most distant continents or in our own backyard. Field work is one of the most important ways our collections have been developed over the past century, and it's still happening today.  

Our researchers venture out into the field to dig up fossils, find new species, observe animals, and study this fascinating planet. Maybe you've even watched us in action at La Brea Tar Pits, where we excavate 361 days a year.

These are some of our recent expeditions—on Wilshire Boulevard, and around the world.

Check out where else we've been!

These are just some of the places our researchers have done field work recently.
Take a tour of our Expeditions Map!

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