As I continue to explore places in North Carolina, I decided to take a trip to Aurora. This little town doesn’t offer much for tourists, but there is a cozy restaurant, Frank and Shirley’s, my friends have raved about. On Friday nights they have all-you-can-eat fried flounder that’s touted as the best around. Unfortunately, Frank and Shirley’s is closed on Sunday, but we were there for the town’s other unique draw: Aurora Fossil Museum.
While it seems an odd spot for a fossil museum, the town of Aurora is perfect for it, thanks to a phosphate plant that dominates the area. The Nutrien plant produces and distributes more than 27 million tons of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products for agricultural, industrial and feed customers worldwide. The process of mining ore for phosphate unearths layers of sediment ripe with fossils.
The museum is small but full of sets of extinct shark teeth and fossils of dolphin, walrus and other species. It was amazing to see the size of Megaladon shark teeth as big as my hand! What’s even more fascinating is some of these fossils have been found right in that area.
There was a room that detailed the process by which phosphate ore is mined and fossils are uncovered. The geology of the area goes back millions of years when the ocean covered what is now part of the coastal plain, which explains why so many of the fossils are from sea creatures. As mining machines dig through layers of earth to get to the phosphate, it’s like going through a time capsule that contains fossils. The first layer is the most recent time period, containing horse teeth, mastadon teeth and other large terrestrial mammal fossils.
As they dig through different layers, they uncover beds of oyster shells, a variety of shells and coral. I’m most interested in the Yorktown Formation, where the Megaladon teeth can be found. Beyond that is the Pungo River Formation, which is limestone and contains casts and molds of fossil shells, shark teeth and bone fragments. And after that is the good stuff — the phosphate ore. As it is mined, they come across a variety of fossils, including some of the largest whale fossils and shark teeth ever found.
After learning all about fossils and phosphate mining came the best part — digging for fossils! Across the street from the museum lies the Pits of the Pungo, where visitors get to sift through the tailings donated by the mining operation to look for their own fossils.
When we got there, I had high hopes of unearthing a Megaladon tooth. As we dug and sifted through the tailings, I came across a dark, shiny triangle shape. My first shark tooth! I was so excited! I must admit, it’s a bit smaller than a Megaladon, but I didn’t care. My husband found one also, and we found lots of fossilized coral and shells. He also found some sort of bone that looks like it may be a vertebrae.
We enjoyed our trip to Aurora Fossil Museum, and it appeared several other families who were there with their children did also. I loved watching the kids run from one spot of the pit to another with their little shovels, hoping to find their own treasures.
— Tracey Cullen, art director
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 19, 2024Rosewood São Paulo Now Home to Asaya Spa by Guerlain
Nestled within the sustainable Rosewood São Paulo, Asaya Spa by Guerlain offers a first-of-its-kind urban retreat. Designed by legendary Philippe Starck, the wellness destination delivers a creative opportunity for guests to achieve personal transformation while enjoying a luxurious getaway.
Sponsored Content
A New Perspective on Incentive Travel
Incentive travel has long been a way for organizations to drive sales and reward employees with opulent trips to exotic destinations. Today it encompasses even more.
Daily
Apr 19, 2024The Iconic Bayeux Tapestry in France to Get New Home
Under the direction of the Town of Bayeux, France, in close collaboration with the French government, the Normandy Region and the Department of Calvados, the project to move the famous 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry to a new space has been approved.
Daily
Apr 19, 2024Turtle Bay Resort Partners with Salesforce
Turtle Bay Resort and Salesforce recently announced a partnership. Salesforce will help the O’ahu-based resort augment service agents with AI and personalize the entire guest experience. Salesforce’s Einstein 1 Platform will help the resort with its efforts to reinvent itself, heighten awareness of its offerings and establish new customer relationships.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
Daily
Apr 18, 2024Fort George Hotel & Spa Transforms Belize City from Gateway to Destination
Belize City is better known as a business center and a stop en route to Belize’s lush rural destinations, but Fort George Hotel & Spa promises to change things up and reframe the nation’s capital as a destination in its own right. Located in the city’s Fort George neighborhood, the hotel debuted as the first luxury hotel in Belize City, boasting sophisticated design, elevated culinary offerings, expansive guestrooms and an inspiring wellness program. The hotel also features a branded fitness center, plunge pool and K’IN Spa.
Amansara Review
eFlyer Reviews
Apr 17, 2024Regent Santa Monica Beach to Debut This Summer
Daily
Apr 17, 2024eFlyer News
Apr 17, 2024Icelandair, Expedia Launch New Rewards Program
Icelandair and Expedia officially partnered to launch a new rewards program. Travelers can now earn more rewards from bookings.
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
eFlyer News
Apr 17, 2024Swiss International Air Lines Begins New Service from Washington, D.C., to Zürich
Swiss International Air Lines recently launched daily flights from Washington, D.C. (IAD), to Zürich (ZRH). The daily flight is one of three new international routes SWISS launches this summer season, with Toronto (YYZ) and Seoul (ICN) slated in the coming months.
ShareThis