Fossil Record

Definition

The fossil record refers to all fossils discovered and the information derived from them about past life forms on Earth over millions of years.

Related terms

Paleontology: The scientific study of life existent prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene Epoch roughly 11,700 years before present.

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers and layering (stratification). It is used to establish the dates of fossils.

Radiometric Dating:

A method used to date rocks and other objects based on the known decay rate of radioactive isotopes.