FOR KIDS: Tar pit bones yield climate clues

Insect damage to ancient bones reveals length of ?summer? during the last ice age

Insect damage to ancient bones reveals length of ?summer? during the last ice age

By Sid Perkins

Web edition: July 29, 2013

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Bug-pocked bone

Insect damage on some bones excavated from the La Brea tar pits (like this one) is providing scientists with clues about climate during the last ice age.

Credit: Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits

During the last ice age, more than 12,000 years ago, many unusual creatures wandered Southern California. Some got trapped in tar pits there. Now, their preserved remains are providing scientists with clues about summer weather during that bygone era.

These fossils indicate the Los Angeles area had an ice age summer that at times stretched surprisingly long: to four months, maybe more.

Visit the new Science News for Kids website and read the full story: Tar pit bones yield climate clues

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/351949/title/FOR_KIDS_Tar_pit_bones_yield_climate_clues

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