Paleontology, palaeontology or palæontology (from Greek: paleo, "ancient"; ontos, "being"; and logos, "knowledge") is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, coprolites, palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because mankind has encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred in the year 1842.
^ abMeyer, H. von. 1842. Notes on labyrinthodonts
and fossil reptiles, including a description of
Belodon plieningeri, new gen. and sp. Neues
Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Geologie und
Palaontologie 1842, pp. 301-304.
