Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Fossil evidence refers to the remains or traces of organisms from the past, preserved in geological formations. This evidence provides a historical record of life on Earth and is used to support theories about evolution.
Related terms
Paleontology: The scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.
A branch of geology concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification). It's used to establish relative ages and histories of rocks and fossils within those layers.