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'''Paleontology''' is the study of [[prehistory|prehistoric]] life forms on [[Earth]] through the examination of plant and animal [[fossil]]s. This includes the study of body [[fossil]]s, tracks ([[ichnite]]s), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilized feces ([[coprolite]]s), [[palynomorph]]s and chemical residues.

'''Paleontology''' is the study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric times, chiefly by studying the [[fossils]] of [[plants]], [[animals]], and other organisms. A '''paleontologist''' is a scientist who studies aspects such as morphology, behavior, and how ancient life interacted with their environment. Paleontology is based on [[uniformitarian geology]], which holds that there has been no [[Biblical flood]], but instead it is believed the layers of stata represent vast [[geologic ages]]. Based on this assumption, paleontologists examine and characterize fossils.  

==Overview==

==Overview==

Modern paleontology sets [[Prehistoric life|ancient life]] in its contexts by studying how physical changes of global geography [[Palaeogeography|paleogeography]] and climate [[paleoclimate]] have affected life on the planet, how ecosystems have responded to these changes and have changed the planetary environment in turn and how these mutual responses have affected today's patterns of [[biodiversity]]. Hence, paleontology overlaps with [[geology]] (the study of rocks and rock formations) as well as with [[botany]], [[biology]], [[zoology]] and [[ecology]] – fields concerned with [[Organism|life forms]] and how they interact.  Paleontological data provide much of the evidence for the modern [[Theory of Evolution]].  

Modern paleontology sets [[Prehistoric life|ancient life]] in its contexts by studying how physical changes of global geography [[Palaeogeography|paleogeography]] and climate [[paleoclimate]] have affected life on the planet, how ecosystems have responded to these changes and have changed the planetary environment in turn and how these mutual responses have affected today's patterns of [[biodiversity]]. Hence, paleontology overlaps with [[geology]] (the study of rocks and rock formations) as well as with [[botany]], [[biology]], [[zoology]] and [[ecology]] – fields concerned with [[Organism|life forms]] and how they interact.  Paleontological data provide much of the alleged evidence for the modern [[Theory of Evolution]].  

The major subdivisions of paleontology include [[paleozoology]] (animals), [[paleobotany]] (plants) and [[micropaleontology]] (microfossils). Paleozoologists may specialise in [[invertebrate paleontology]], which deals with animals without backbones or in

Within paleontology, there are branches and areas of specializations based on the particular type of organism. The study of prehistoric humans is known as [[Paleoanthropology]], animal paleontology is [[Paleozoology]], and the branch which studies ancient plants is called [[Paleobotany]].

[[vertebrate paleontology]], dealing with fossils of animals with backbones, including fossil hominids ([[paleoanthropology]]). Micropaleontologists study microscopic fossils, including organic-walled microfossils whose study is called [[palynology]].

There are many developing specialties such as [[paleobiology]], [[paleoecology]], [[ichnology]] (the study of tracks and burrows) and [[taphonomy]] (the study of what happens to organisms after they expire).  

There are many developing specialties such as [[paleobiology]], [[paleoecology]], [[ichnology]] (the study of tracks and burrows) and [[taphonomy]] (the study of what happens to organisms after they expire).  

Paleontology utilizes the same classic [[binomial nomenclature]] scheme, devised for the biology of living things by the mid-[[18th century]] [[Swedish people|Swedish]] biologist [[Carolus Linnaeus]] and increasingly sets these species in a genealogical framework, showing their degrees of interrelatedness using the still somewhat controversial technique of '[[cladistics]]'.

Paleontology utilizes the same classic [[binomial nomenclature]] scheme, devised for the biology of living things by the mid-[[18th century]] [[Swedish people|Swedish]] biologist [[Carolus Linnaeus]] and increasingly sets these species in a genealogical framework, showing their degrees of interrelatedness using the still somewhat controversial technique of '[[cladistics]]'.

The reconstruction of fossil lineages, combined with modern molecular techniques, has verified the [[Phylogenetic Tree]] first proposed by Charles Darwin in [[On the Origin of Species]] in 1859. Since the publication of Darwin's famous work, many remarkably complete evolutionary transitions have been found in individual lineages (such as [[horses]] and [[whales]]), and between major groups (including transitional forms between [[fish]] and [[reptiles]] and between [[dinosaurs]] and [[birds]]).  The modern discipline of paleontology would be virtually nonexistent without its evolutionary context.  

Paleontologists are often incorrectly referred to as [[Archaeology|archaeologists]], because of public perception regarding similarities in techniques (i.e., both "dig in the dirt for old things").  There is somewhat of a blurring between archaeology and paleoanthropology, and even more so between paleoanthropology and some branches of paleozoology.

Fossils were known by primitive humans and were sometimes identified correctly as the remains of ancient lifeforms. The organized study of paleontology dates from the late 18th century.

The organized study of paleontology dates from the late 18th century.

==Notable paleontologists==

==Notable paleontologists==