Paleontology is the scientific study of life that existed prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene Epoch (roughly 11,700 years before present). It includes the study of fossils to classify organisms and study interactions with each other and their environments. Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology, and shares with archaeology a border that is difficult to define.1
The Fossil Record
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms from the remote past. The totality of fossils, both discovered and undiscovered, and their placement in fossiliferous (fossil-containing) rock formations and sedimentary layers (strata) is known as the fossil record.
The fossil record is one of the most important tools paleontologists use to understand the history of life on Earth. By examining fossils, scientists can track the evolution of species over time, identify mass extinction events, and see how different organisms adapted to changing environments.
Subdisciplines of Paleontology
Paleontology is a broad field with many specialized subdisciplines. Some of the major ones include:
- Vertebrate Paleontology: The study of fossils belonging to animals with backbones, such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
- Invertebrate Paleontology: The study of fossils of animals without backbones, such as insects, mollusks, and trilobites.
- Micropaleontology: The study of microscopic fossils, which are crucial for dating rock layers and discovering oil deposits.
- Paleobotany: The study of fossil plants, algae, and fungi.
These subdisciplines allow scientists to build a comprehensive picture of ancient ecosystems and the complex web of life that has existed throughout Earth's history.