Archeology and Paleontology are frequently associated with each other but are two different fields of science. Archeology is a branch of anthropology, a broad study of all aspects of humanity, while paleontology is a branch of biology (life studies). The two sciences are further distinguished as follows -

  • Archeology (or archaeology) - a science that deals with human evolution, past cultures and lifestyles by the recovery and examination of human remains and artifacts such as graves, buildings, tools, and pottery.

    Closely linked to archeology is social anthropology, the study of human culture and society with a tendency to restrict this study to recent and living cultures with reference to ancient cultures as studied by archaeologists.

    Physical anthropology or bioanthropology is the study of the anatomy and evolution of humans and our ancestors using biology, anthropology, archaeology, zoology and palaeontology.

    Go to: Archeology

  • Paleontology (or palaeontology) - a science that deals with the life of past geological periods that is based on the study of fossil remains of plants and animals, and gives information especially about the phylogeny and relationships of modern animals and plants and about the chronology of the history of the earth.

    Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology, but differs from archaeology in that it excludes the study of anatomically modern humans.

    Go to: Paleontology

Where the two sciences overlap is in the sub-field of anthropological paleontology (or paleontological anthropology), which is the excavation of specifically human remains (and those associated plants and animals, such as hunted or domesticated) in order to determine their health, evolutionary history, and other physical features.

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