A scientist who studies prehistoric life through fossils is known as what?

A scientist who studies prehistoric life through fossils is known as a paleontologist. This is because paleontology is the branch of science that specifically deals with the examination of fossils to understand the history of life on Earth, including the evolution of organisms, their interactions with each other, and the environments they lived in. Paleontologists analyze fossilized remains, such as bones, shells, and imprints, to gather information about ancient ecosystems, species diversity, and the progression of life forms over geological time.

In contrast, the other fields mentioned focus on different aspects of study. Anthropologists primarily study human societies, their cultures, behaviors, and development over time, while geologists focus on the Earth's physical structure and processes, including rocks, minerals, and the changes the Earth has undergone. Archaeologists, on the other hand, investigate past human activity through material remains, exploring historical cultures and civilizations through artifacts rather than prehistoric life as defined by paleontology. This specialization highlights why the term "paleontologist" is the appropriate designation for a scientist who studies prehistoric life through fossils.