What field of study is concerned with fossils?

The field of study that is concerned with fossils is paleontology. Paleontology specifically focuses on the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. Scientists in this field analyze the fossilized remains of organisms to understand how they lived, their environment, and how different species have evolved over time. This includes studying ancient ecosystems and the evolutionary patterns that have shaped the diversity of life throughout geological history.

Other fields, while related, have different primary focuses. For instance, geology broadly studies the Earth's physical structure, processes, and substances, which can include fossil examination but is not solely focused on living organisms from the past. Anthropology concerns itself with humans and human behavior, including the study of cultural aspects, while archaeology delves into past human activity and civilizations through artifacts rather than organic materials like bones and plants that paleontology studies.