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 1859.
^Johnston, C. 1859. Note on odontography.
Amer. J. Dent. Sci. 9: pp. 337-343
^Owen, R. 1859. On the order of fossil and recent
reptilia, and their distribution in time. Report of
the British Association for the Advancement of
Science 1859: pp. 153-166.
^Leidy, J. 1859. Extinct vertebrata from the Judith
River and Great Lignite Formations of Nebraska.
American Philosophical Society Transactions
11:pp. 139-154.
^Owen, R. 1859. On the order of fossil and recent
reptilia, and their distribution in time. Report of
the British Association for the Advancement of
Science: pp. 153-166.
