Palaeontology is the study of fossils and prehistorical geological periods. It was founded by Georges Cuvier, an 18th century French naturalist and zoologist, who is known as the father of Palaeontology. He created the word itself in 1822. The start of the 19th Century saw a boom in the field, because there were more fossil specialists, more museums and more geological societies. As the years went on, more fossils have been unearthed and continue to be so 2018! There are many fields of Palaeontology, such as Vertebrate, Invertebrate and Micro-palaeontology.
Vertebrate Palaeontology is the study of multi-cellular organisms with back bones, for example, dinosaurs, amphibians and fish. Invertebrate Palaeontology is the study of organisms without backbones, like insects Micro-Palaeontology is the study of prehistoric, unicellular organisms and how they adapted to specific environments. These are just to name a few!
I really enjoy Vertebrate Palaeontology as I have always been interested in dinosaurs since I was 4 years old! I am a member at the NHM ( Natural History Museum in London ) and I go there at least three times every year. It is a wonderful place and I just absorb the atmosphere and the knowledge there. My dream job is to become a vertebrate palaeontologist and to specialise in Therapods, especially Spinosaurus Egypticus. If you are unsure as to what a Therapod is, it is a two legged carnivore, with a Saurischian ( lizard hipped ) hip structure. If you do visit the NHM, please do visit the most popular part of the museum, the dinosaur exhibit and be sure to have a fantastic time.