Quaternary · 2.58 Ma – present
Quaternary fossil sites
The current period — defined by repeated ice ages, the rise of modern human evolution, and the late Pleistocene megafauna extinctions. Quaternary fossil sites include cave deposits, tar pits, river gravels, and permafrost-preserved Ice Age remains.
Fossils typical of this period: mammoths, mastodons, ground sloths, sabre-toothed cats, dire wolves, La Brea biota, cave-bear remains.
23 fossil sites
Updated 27 July 2026
Atapuerca Archaeological Site Fossil Guide
Castile and León, Spain
Hominin remains, Homo antecessor, Cave bears, Lithic tools
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site Fossil Hunting Guide
Kentucky, United States
American mastodon (Mammut americanum), Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi), Jefferson's ground sloth (Megalonyx jeffersonii), Ancient bison (Bison antiquus)
Centerville Beach Fossil Hunting Guide
California, United States
Patinopecten sp. (Giant Pacific Scallop), Natica clausa (Moon Snail), Clinocardium meekianum (Cockle), Nucella canaliculata (Channeled Dogwinkle)
Crowley's Ridge Pleistocene Gravel Fossil Guide
Arkansas, United States
Petrified wood, Mammoths, Mastodons, Horses
Edisto Beach State Park Fossil Hunting Guide
South Carolina, United States
Shark Teeth, Megalodon, Pleistocene mammal bones, Whale Bone
Fort Clinch State Park Fossil Hunting Guide
Florida, United States
Shark Teeth, Mollusks
Honeycomb Hill Caves Fossil Hunting Guide
West Coast, New Zealand
Moa (Pachyornis, Dinornis, Megalapteryx), Haast's eagle (Hieraaetus moorei), Finsch's duck (Chenonetta finschi), New Zealand owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles novaezealandiae)
Hunting Island State Park Fossil Guide
South Carolina, United States
Shark Teeth, Megalodon teeth, Fossil bone, Marine shells
La Brea Tar Pits Fossil Hunting Guide
California, United States
Dire Wolf, Saber-toothed Cat, Columbian Mammoth, Ground Sloth
Lake Clifton Thrombolites Yalgorup National Park Fossil Hunting Guide
Australia
Thrombolites
Moonstone Beach, Cambria Fossil Hunting Guide
San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Bivalves, Sand Dollars, Barnacles, Gastropods
Mount Etna Caves National Park Fossil Hunting Guide
Australia
Pleistocene fossil assemblage, Invictokoala monticola, Quinkana, Varanus komodoensis
Mungo National Park Fossil Hunting Guide
Australia
Mungo Lady, Mungo Man, Zygomaturus trilobus, Genyornis newtoni
Naracoorte Caves Fossil Hunting Guide
South Australia, Australia
Diprotodon, Thylacoleo carnifex, Procoptodon, Megalania
Rincon Point Fossil Hunting Guide
Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Bivalves, Gastropods
Scotia Bluffs Fossil Hunting Guide
Humboldt County, California, United States
Bivalves, Gastropods, Sand Dollars, Foraminifera
The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs Fossil Hunting Guide
South Dakota, United States
Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi), Woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), Short-faced bear (Arctodus simus), Camel
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Fossil Hunting Guide
Nevada, United States
Mammoth, Ground Sloth
Tunica Hills Loess Fossil Guide
Louisiana, United States
Mastodons, Mammoths, Ice Age mammals, Land snails
Waco Mammoth National Monument Fossil Hunting Guide
Texas, United States
Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi), American camel (Camelops), Western horse (Equus), Saber-toothed cat (?)
Wellington Caves Fossil Hunting Guide
Wellington
Diprotodon, Thylacoleo carnifex, Procoptodon, Diprotodon optatum
West Runton Fossil Hunting Guide
West Runton
Mammal remains, Freshwater shells, Plant material, Echinoids and sponges
White Sands National Park Fossil Hunting Guide
New Mexico, United States
Human footprints, Smaller vertebrate tracks