You’re standing in a massive, dusty pit in Mantua Township, New Jersey. It looks like a construction site. Or maybe a quarry. Honestly, it doesn't look like much of anything at first glance. But 66 million years ago? This exact spot was underwater, teeming with massive sea monsters and the catastrophic fallout of an asteroid that wiped out three-quarters of life on Earth.
The Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University isn't just another local museum with dusty glass cases and plastic models. It is a 65-acre time machine. Most people think you have to go to Montana or the Gobi Desert to find world-class fossils, but this site in South Jersey is arguably one of the most significant paleontological digs on the planet.
It’s real. It’s gritty. And you can actually dig there.
The Layer That Changed Everything
What makes this place special is the "main fossiliferous layer." That's a fancy way of saying there is a specific six-inch thick bed of sediment that acts like a graveyard. Scientists, specifically Dr. Kenneth Lacovara—the guy who discovered Dreadnoughtus and now leads the park—believe this layer might be a direct record of the K-Pg extinction event. We’re talking about the very moment the Cretaceous period ended.
Usually, the fossil record is like a book with half the pages ripped out. Here? It’s like someone hit "pause" during a mass extinction. Researchers have found thousands of fossils in this marl pit, ranging from ancient crocodiles to mosasaurs, which were essentially the T-Rex of the ocean.
The geology here is called the Hornerstown Formation. It’s a greensand marl. Because the environment back then was a shallow marine setting, the preservation is incredible. You aren't just finding impressions; you're finding bone. Real, heavy, mineralized history.
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More Than Just a Hole in the Ground
For years, the site was a private quarry owned by the Inversand Company. They mined it for glauconite, which is used for water treatment. Rowan University bought the land in 2016 for $1.95 million, thanks to a massive $25 million gift from Jean and Ric Edelman. Since then, it has transformed from a muddy pit into a $73 million museum complex that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.
The museum building itself is a marvel of sustainability. It’s "Net Zero," meaning it produces as much energy as it uses. They used mass timber and geothermal heating. It’s sort of poetic—a building dedicated to the study of a past climate catastrophe that is designed to help prevent a modern one.
Inside, you’ve got the Hall of Cretaceous Seas. It’s not just bones. They use high-end digital tech to recreate the environment. You see the Mosasaurus hoffmanni—a creature that could grow to 50 feet long—swimming above you. It’s immersive. It’s loud. It’s exactly what a museum in 2026 should feel like.
What You’ll Actually Find When You Dig
Let’s talk about the Community Dig days. These are the hottest tickets in the state.
When you get down into the pit, you’re handed a trowel and a brush. You aren't digging for "fools gold." People regularly find shark teeth, specifically from the Squalicorax (crow shark). You might find pieces of turtle shell or even vertebrae from a Hyposaurus, an extinct marine crocodyliform.
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The thrill is real. You’re the first human to touch that object in 66 million years.
- Shark Teeth: Common but always cool.
- Brachiopods: Little shells that look like clams but aren't.
- Belemnites: The internal skeletons of ancient squid-like creatures. They look like orange cigars.
- Bone Fragments: These require a professional eye. If you find something big, the researchers take over.
It’s messy. You will get marl on your shoes. You will get it under your fingernails. But that’s the point. The Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University removes the barrier between the "expert" and the public. It makes science a verb.
The Science is Still Happening
This isn't just a playground. It's a lab. Dr. Lacovara and his team are still actively researching the site to answer one of the biggest questions in science: How fast did the dinosaurs die?
Some scientists think they were already on their way out. The evidence at the Edelman Fossil Park suggests otherwise. The fossils found in that specific layer show a vibrant, healthy ecosystem that was suddenly, violently snuffed out. By studying the chemistry of the shells and the position of the bones, the Rowan team is piecing together the "day after" the asteroid hit.
The Significance of the Marl
South Jersey's marl is unique. It’s low in oxygen, which helps prevent bones from decaying before they can fossilize. It’s why the site is so productive. While other sites might give you a tooth here or a rib there, this place gives you an entire neighborhood of the Cretaceous deep.
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Planning Your Visit (The Real Talk)
If you're planning to head out to Mantua, don't just show up and expect to jump in the pit. The museum has specific timed entries and the dig days sell out months in advance.
- Check the weather. The pit is clay. If it rains, it’s a swamp. If it’s hot, there is zero shade.
- Dress like a landscaper. Leave the nice sneakers at home. You want boots and clothes you don't mind staining.
- The Museum is the highlight. Even if you don't dig, the "Dino Land" themed discovery forest and the virtual reality experiences are worth the trip.
- Bring a bag. Not for fossils (you usually can't keep the "scientifically significant" stuff), but for your muddy gear afterward.
The park is located at 1220 Woodbury Glassboro Rd. It’s easily accessible from Philly or North Jersey.
Why This Matters Now
We live in a world where "truth" feels optional sometimes. But you can't argue with a fossil. You can't fake the weight of a mosasaur jaw in your hand. The Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University provides a tangible connection to the deep past. It humbles you. It reminds you that species come and go, and the Earth keeps spinning.
It also puts Rowan University on the map as a leader in "Citizen Science." By letting the public participate, they aren't just teaching paleontology; they are creating future paleontologists.
Next Steps for Your Trip
- Monitor the Official Website: Tickets for the museum and organized digs are released in blocks. Set an alert on your calendar so you don't miss the window.
- Study Local Species: Before you go, look up photos of Squalicorax teeth and Pycnodont fish scales. It’s much easier to find things when you know what you’re looking for.
- Support the Research: The park often runs volunteer programs for those who want to get more involved in the lab side of things, cleaning and cataloging the finds from the pit.