Paleontology is about more than old bones. Paleontology, from the Greek words palaeos meaning old, ont meaning being and logos meaning knowledge, is the study of ancient life. And while paleontologists study fossils they do more than determine the animal part or organism. Paleontologists examine fossils for clues about the past. They determine the origin and identity of fossils as well as environment and evolution. Paleontologists spend time outside hunting for fossils and spend time in a laboratory cleaning, identifying and examining their discoveries. They use drills, chisels, picks and toothbrushes to excavate fossils. They clean fossils with dental picks and soft small brushes. Paleontologists use microscopes to examine their discoveries. They record their findings in notebooks and mark their discoveries on a map.