PaleontOLogy

What is Paleontology?

Paleontology is the study of ancient life, from dinosaurs to prehistoric plants, mammals, fish, insects, fungi, and even microbes. Fossil evidence reveals how organisms changed over time and what our planet was like long ago.

Reading

Take a peek inside two paleontologists' scrapbook.

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Paleontologist Mark Norell answers kids’ questions.

Video

Paleontologist Mark Norell answers questions about T. rex.

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What is it like to hunt for dinosaur fossils? And what discoveries are made back in the lab?

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Meet some of the more unusual members of T. rex and Velociraptor's family tree.

Game

Match up these eight dinosaur fossil photos with their descriptions.

Hands-on

Bury chicken bones in plaster of Paris to see the challenges paleontologists face when excavating fossils.

Hands-on

Learn how to look at a bunch of bones and draw what a dinosaur looked like.

Game

What skin color, eye color, and type of feathers will you give this T. rex?

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Join the inquisitive Deena Soris as she interviews the fossil of a Protoceratops.

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About 80 million years ago two dinosaurs were locked in deadly combat when they were suddenly buried alive. See one of the greatest fossil specimens ever found.

Hands-on

Anyone can find fossils. This handy guide tells you where to look and what to do.

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A paleontologist travels to Antarctica to collect fossil evidence.

Game

How do your fossil-sorting skills stack up? Put them to the test with this kid-friendly online puzzle.

Game + Video

Examine fossils and gather clues from experts!

Hands-on

Send a note to a friend with these colorful letterheads.

Video

Find out how paleontologist John Flynn answered kids' questions.