The Aurora Fossil Museum offers more than a glimpse into North Carolina’s coastline’s deep past—it invites you to physically connect with it. Located just outside the coastal town of New Bern, the museum and its adjacent Fossil Park present a rare chance to dig in the Pit of the Pungo, a designated fossil-rich area where the earth is alive with stories waiting to be uncovered.

Bringing your own garden trowel or a sifter isn’t just recommended; it’s essential. The soil here, part of a unique geological formation, guards fragments of ancient marine life that once roamed the seas—sharks’ teeth, whale bones, corals, and shells all wait just beneath the surface. The activity blends a hands-on adventure with educational insight, as the nonprofit museum’s mission encourages visitors to engage more deeply with the history of North Carolina’s coastal evolution.

The digging experience is open to all skill levels, making it accessible to families and fossil enthusiasts alike. The ground invites you to carefully sift and scratch, rewarding patience with tangible pieces of prehistoric life. The Pits themselves are a modest physical challenge; firm footing and shade from nearby trees help moderate the experience even on a warm day.

Beyond digging, the museum buildings shelter more secrets. The mine room reveals layers of geologic time through rock formations beneath Aurora, effectively grounding your discoveries in their broader environmental context. Afterward, the gift shop offers curated artifacts and fossils—memories of earth’s ancient chapters you can take home to remember the day.

For planning purposes, arrive prepared for changing weather typical to coastal North Carolina: light clothing layered with waterproof options and sturdy footwear that can handle uneven terrain. Early mornings or late afternoons offer the best light for both digging and photography, with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.

This hands-on fossil excavation balances the thrills of discovery with practical learning about coastal natural history. When the soil pushes back, respect it as a fiercely patient storyteller; when you uncover a fossil, you’re literally touching the past. Digging in the Pit of the Pungo transforms a museum visit into an active dialogue with the ancient world beneath your feet, leaving you with more than memories—evidence.