Aurora Fossil Museum

The Aurora Fossil Museum, located in Aurora, North Carolina, is a natural science museum. It is a place where visitors can explore the fascinating world of fossils and learn about the geological history of the area. The museum's collection is built around fossils recovered from the nearby phosphate mine and includes specimens from around the world.

The Museum's Collection

The museum's collection is primarily built around fossils recovered from a nearby phosphate mine, owned by PotashCorp since 1995. However, the collection also includes fossil specimens donated from around the world, as well as geology and meteorite displays. This diverse collection provides a comprehensive view of the earth's history and the life that once inhabited it.

Outdoor Fossil Hunting

In addition to the museum's indoor exhibits, there are also two spoils piles located in the park across the street. These pits are filled with mine tailings, where small shell, coral, shark tooth, and other fossils are relatively easy to find. These pits are open to the public during daylight hours every day, providing a unique hands-on experience for visitors.

Collecting Fossils

One of the unique features of the Aurora Fossil Museum is that visitors are allowed to collect fossils from the neighboring spoils pile. This provides a unique opportunity for visitors to take a piece of prehistoric life home with them, making their visit to the museum a truly memorable experience.