During the time of the phosphate mines, diggers excavated numerous fossils of significant size. Today, paleontologists find rather small specimens there. Sometimes infra-millimeter small fossils, little piles of bones, insects, seeds, etc. However, the study of the largest fossils discovered back then is still possible and ongoing today, thanks to current techniques. Since the first excavations, scientists from all over France have returned to the Cloup d'Aural every summer.