The main focus of paleontology is the study of ancient life through the examination of fossil remains. This scientific discipline seeks to understand the evolution, behavior, and interactions of various species over geologic time spans. Paleontologists analyze fossils to gather insights about extinct organisms, their environments, and the prehistoric ecosystems in which they thrived. The field encompasses a wide range of sub-disciplines, including paleobiology, which studies the biology of fossils, and biostratigraphy, which looks at the distribution of fossils in sedimentary layers. Paleontology is crucial for understanding Earth's history and the evolution of life.