A paleontologist is a scientist who studies paleontology, the forms of life that existed in former geologic periods, chiefly by studying fossils. Paleo means old or ancient. Ontology is the study of existence (onto- means existence, -logy is the study of something). This -ist at the end means a person who is involved in the field. PALEOZOIC ERA The... Found on http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/glossary/