Paleontology and the History of Life

Definition and Scope of Paleontology

Paleontology is the scientific study of life in the past, primarily through the discovery, analysis, and interpretation of fossils. It investigates extinct organisms, their anatomy, physiology, behavior, evolution, interactions, and environments, while also using fossils to reconstruct geologic time and the history of life on Earth. Although fossils are central to the field, paleontology also relies on inferences about organisms and environments that are not directly preserved. The field overlaps strongly with geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Its scope includes the study of fossil plants, animals, microorganisms, trace fossils, fossilization processes, evolutionary relationships, extinction, paleoenvironments, paleogeography, and biostratigraphy. Paleontologists conduct fieldwork, prepare and examine specimens in laboratories, compare anatomy, and apply modern technologies and theoretical analysis to address questions about biodiversity and Earth history. Important limitations include the incompleteness and uneven preservation of the fossil record, which can bias interpretations of past life.

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Fossils as Evidence of Past Life

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