One of the more popular features of the Aurora Fossil Museum is being able to dig for your own fossils in the “Pits of the Pungo.”
Aurora Fossil
MUSEUM Story and Photos by Jim Green
Want to step way back in time and learn about paleontology? How about digging for your own fossils in
“A lot of museums are founded based on a local unique characteristic, said Cynthia Crane, executive director of the museum.
to Aurora.” The town partnered with East Carolina University, Texas Gulf, NC Phosphate Company
what is affectionately dubbed “The Pits of the
The Aurora Fossil Museum is no exception.
Pungo?”
The main museum houses a wide variety
The Learning Center across from the
of Miocene and Pliocene marine fossils with
museum houses a world class collection of gems
most displays showcasing specimens collected
and minerals as well as a fluorescent mineral
Look no further than the Aurora Fossil Museum, located at 400 Main St.
and others in getting this started,” she added.
The museum, founded in 1976 and opened in
from the neighboring Nutrien Phosphate Mine
room. There is also a collection of fossils from
1978, is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) science education
(formerly known as Texas Gulf Sulfur, PCS
around the world including Cambrian trilobites
resource center. Its mission is to increase
Phospate, PotashCorp. Features in the shark
and the remnants of the Ice Age Mastodon.
knowledge of the geology, paleontology and
hall are remnants of the terror of the Miocene-
prehistory of coastal North Carolina in an
Pliocene seas, C. meegalodon.
engaging and enjoyable manner.
After spending time learning, guests can dig for their own fossils in the Fossil Park.
“When they were mining for phosphate
These pits, consisting of fossiliferous material
The museum asscomplishes this through
and extracting it, they discovered fossils and it
donated by the neighboring Nutrien Phosphate
exhibits, interactive inquiry-based activities,
ended up being a premier location for Miocene
plant, offer visitors the opportunity to search
outreach programs, events, field studies and
and Pliocene marine fossils,” said Crane, herself
and discover their own Miocene age fossils.
involvement in the annual Fossil Festival held on
a paleontologist and geologist. “As an economic
In these pits, one may discover the remains
Memorial Day weekend.
idea, they founded the museum to being people
of ancient sharks, whales, bony fish and coral,
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