Paleontology: Introduction

  • Greek origin: palaios- old, ancient. Ontos- creature. Logos- study.
  • Paleontology is the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.
  • The simplest definition of paleontology is “the study of ancient life”. - Cowen, R. in History of Life (2000).
  • It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments (their paleoecology).
  • Paleontological observations are documented since 5th century BC.
  • It includes the study of fossils to classify organisms and study their interactions with each other and their environments (their paleoecology).
  • Science became established in the 18th century as a result of Georges Cuvier's work on comparative anatomy.
  • Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology.

  • Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology.
  • It uses techniques from a wide range of disciplines like biochemistry, mathematics, and engineering.
  • William Whewell classified paleontology as one of the historical sciences, along with archaeology, geology, astronomy, cosmology, philology and history itself.