Explore the world of fossils and what they reveal about the history of life on Earth, from the emergence of new life forms to cataclysmic mass extinctions. World-renowned palaeontologist Paul Taylor provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of fossils, beginning with how they form, how they mark geological time, and what they tell us about the origins of life and major evolutionary events like the Cambrian Explosion. Generously illustrated with colour photography, featuring many original specimens from the collections of London's Natural History Museum, Fossils is the essential introduction for all those who are curious about the very history of life. There are chapters devoted to each of the major groups found in the fossil record as well as practical advice on how to begin collecting fossils yourself.