Welcome to the Digital Atlas of Ancient Life

Identify fossils and explore the diversity and history of life on Earth

What's new?

May 15, 2020

A chapter on bryozoans has been added to the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life.

Explore here.

April 17, 2020

A brand new Digital Encyclopedia chapter about the emerging field of Conservation Paleobiology has been posted.

Explore here.

March 14, 2020

We have just added a new Virtual Collection User Guide with instructional videos showing how to navigate the Digital Atlas Virtual Collection and how to access 3D models directly on our Digital Atlas of Ancient Life Sketchfab page.

Explore here

Regional field guides to fossils

Need help identifying your fossil discoveries?

Access Digital Atlas field guides to fossils from particular time periods and regions by selecting from the guides above, or by downloading Version 2.0 of the free Digital Atlas of Ancient Life App, available now for iOS and Android devices.

Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life

A free, open access paleontology textbook

Topics online now:

• Nature of the Fossil Record
• Geological Time
• Evolution and the Fossil Record
• Systematics
• Paleoecology
• Conservation Paleobiology
• Phylum Porifera (sponges)
• Phylum Cnidaria, Order Rugosa (rugose corals)
• Phylum Cnidaria, Order Tabulata (tabulate corals)
• Phylum Cnidaria, Order Scleractinia
• Phylum Brachiopoda (brachiopods)
• Phylum Bryozoa
• Phylum Mollusca, Class Gastropoda (gastropods)
• Phylum Mollusca, Class Cephalopoda (cephalopods)
• Phylum Echinodermata (echinoderms, chapter in progress)
• Embryophytes (land plants, chapter in progress)
• Angiosperms (flowering plants, chapter in progress)
• Paleontological Methods and Techniques: Photogrammetry

Virtual Collections

Interactive, 3D models of fossil and modern specimens. 

Virtual Exhibits

Explore virtual museum exhibits about different topics in natural history

New: Our first virtual exhibit, "Survivors: Up Close with Living Fossils," is online now. Explore here.

Resources for Teachers

Classroom lesson plans, activities, and associated materials that relate to either the Neogene or Ordovician Atlas. All of these resources may be freely accessed and downloaded here.