Fossil Lake Deposits - a Dramatic Cross-Section of Life

After a long term as the curator of the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS), Joel A. Bartsch now guides the organization as its president and CEO. Joel Bartsch oversees the exhibits in Paleontology Hall, which feature fossils.

One of Paleontology Hall’s unique permanent exhibits is the Fossil Lake deposits. These specimens, preserving dry lake sediment and fossils, recorded the tectonic uplifting 10 million years ago. This movement dried much of the sea basin and created a 25,000-square-mile lake system. Fossil Lake was one of three major bodies of water that made up the Eocene lake system. The unique conditions of this long-lived lake made it ideal for storing and preserving fossils.

Fish fossils are particularly abundant and span a full range of aquatic species, from crocodiles to prehistoric garfish. With many specimens in unusually good condition, Fossil Lake has had a vital role in mapping early evolutionary relationships among various species.