what is paleontology

Paleontology is the scientific study of ancient life based on fossils. Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient life that are usually buried in rocks, such as bones, teeth, shells, leaf impressions, nests, and footprints. Paleontologists use fossils to understand the history of life on Earth, including how organisms changed over time and what our planet was like long ago. Paleontology incorporates knowledge from biology, geology, ecology, anthropology, archaeology, and even computer science to understand the processes that have led to the origination and eventual extinction of species. Paleontology is traditionally divided into various subdisciplines, including paleobotany, palynology, invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology, human paleontology (paleoanthropology), taphonomy, and ichnology.