While there is some overlap, paleoanthropology and paleontology are distinct fields.
Paleontology definition:
Paleontology is the study of extinct living species across evolutionary history that have been fossilized. This includes vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi, bacteria and dinosaurs.
What scientific disciplines are used in paleontology?
Paleontology is a multi-layered science that begins with an understanding of geology, taphonomy, and biology.
Geology—The study of rock layers allows paleontologists to properly date fossils and their associated sediments. Understanding the geological context of fossil sites is essential for reconstructing ancient environments and timelines.
Taphonomy—Understanding the processes by which organisms become fossilized.
Biology, microbiology and zoology—The study of anatomy, physiology, and the evolutionary relationships of extinct organisms.
Areas of expertise within paleontology also include
Ecology/paleoecology—The study of ancient ecosystems and interactions between organisms
Botany/paleobotany—The study of plant evolution
What timeframe does paleontology study?
Paleontologists focus on the entire geological time scale, going back billions of years to when life first formed on Planet Earth.
Paleoanthropology definition:
Paleoanthropology is the study of the evolution of humans and our hominin fossil relatives. Paleoanthropology uses the analysis of fossil remains, artifacts, and other evidence left by our ancestors. This interdisciplinary approach allows scientists to reconstruct the timeline of human evolution and gain insights into the unique characteristics that make us human.
What scientific disciplines are used in paleoanthropology?
Paleoanthropology uses methods from paleontology, biological anthropology, archaeology, ecology, chemistry and primatology due to the focus on human evolution. Paleoanthropologists are also knowledgable about morphology, behavior, and cultural practices of early humans and their relatives.
Biological Anthropology—Paleoanthropologists study biological and behavioral aspects of humans and non-human primates. This discipline provides insights into human anatomy, genetics, and evolutionary biology.
Archaeology—An integral part of paleoanthropology, archaeology is the study of cultural artifacts and tools left by early humans.
Ecology—The study of ancient ecosystems helps paleoanthropologists to understand the interactions between early humans and their environments.
Chemistry—Isotopic analysis in particular is used by paleoanthropologists to study fossilization processes, date fossils, and analyze ancient diets and environmental conditions to help understand the life and times of early humans.
Primatology—the study of the behavior, anatomy, and genetics of non-human primates, offers valuable comparative data for understanding human evolution.
Morphology—an understanding of the structure of organisms.
What timeframe does paleoanthropology study?
Paleoanthropology focuses on the time when primates and humans first evolved. According to the Rutgers University Center for Evolutionary Studies, paleoanthropology encompasses a “vast sweep of geological time, from the biological communities in which our twenty million-year-old ape-like ancestors lived, to the appearance of anatomically modern humans about one hundred thousand years ago.”
While a paleoanthropologist uses some paleontological methods and knowledge, they are not typically considered paleontologists.