| − | '''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. | + | '''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|Great Flood]], but instead it is believed the layers of stata represent vast [[geologic ages]]. Based on this assumption, paleontologists examine and characterize fossils. |