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This compact and reader-friendly book introduces students to materials and studies that are gaining importance in the study of fossils. It covers all the important branches of palaeontology and provides up-to-date and detailed analysis of the principles of palaeontology, systematics, palaeocolgy, evolution, invertebrate and vertebrate palaeontology, palaeobotany, and micropalaeontology. The text takes a holistic approach to the subject with concrete examples. Primarily intended for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Geology or Earth Sciences, the book will also prove useful for Zoology and Botany undergraduates. Geologists, particularly those assigned with jobs on palaeontology, micropalaeontology, palaeobotany will benefit from the text. Finally, students and research scientists intending to work with Indian problems concerning palaeontology should find the book beneficial. Key Features Provides up-to-date data, concepts and Indian examples of fossils Furnishes important data for laboratory work and Indian stratigraphy Gives pertinent information on Fossil Lagerstätten in a tabulated form Table of Contents Preface Part One: Principles 1. Introduction 2. Taphonomy 3. Palaeoecology 4. Systematics and Biostratigraphy 5. Evolution of Organisms 6. Major Events of History of Life Part Two: Major Invertebrate Groups 7. Phylum Cnidaria 8. Coiled Shells: An Introduction 9. Brachiopoda 10. Bivalvia (Mollusca) 11. Gastropoda (Mollusca) 12. Cephalopoda (Mollusca) 13. Echinoidea (Echinodermata) 14. Trilobita (Arthropoda) Part Three: Miscellaneous 15. Microfossils 16. Microfossils: Foraminifera 17. Miscellaneous Fossil Groups 18. Vertebrata of Chordata 19. Planta Part Four: Some Synthesis 20. Fossils and Climate, Geography, Biogeography, and Ecology of the Past Part Five: Appendices 1. Fossil Lagerstätten 2. Lab Exercises 3. Indian Stratigraphy for Palaeontologists Epilogue  References  Index