Define palaeontology

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Palaeontology**: Palaeontology is the scientific study of the history of life on Earth, primarily through the examination of fossils.

2. **Role of Fossils**: Fossils are the preserved remains or impressions of organisms that lived in the past. They provide critical evidence about the forms of life that existed at different periods in Earth's history.

3. **Fossilization Process**: Fossilization occurs when an organism is buried under sediment and over time, its remains are preserved. This can include bones, shells, or even imprints of soft tissues.

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