*** How did it start? ***

	Paleontology started with the idea that the earth was a lot older 
then what the bible said (4000 years old) and that many beings that had 
lived on earth HAD gone extinct at some point.  This had come to be with 
the discovery of petrified bones and the actual study of them, with the 
study of animals today as well.

	It then continued with the idea that living organisms evolved, 
and that life on earth was constantly changing, becomming adaptive to 
their surroundings, as well as growing intellectually.

	All of this added up to what we now of as Paleontology, the study 
of ancient life.

						- Chris Behnsen
						  December 27th 1996