Paleontological Laboratory

     Paleontology is the study of fossils. In general, it is divided into three major fields: Paleobotany studying fossil plants, Invertebrate Paleontology studying fossils animal without backbones, and Vertebrate Paleontology, studying fossils animal with bones.

     The Mesozoic Era is the most important geologic time in terms of vertebrate animal evolution. Almost all main groups evolved during the Triassic Period. They are mammals, turtles, marine reptiles, lizards, including snakes, pterosaurs, crocodiles, and dinosaurs including birds. So, their evolution patterns are fascinating and complex. A variety of Korean Mesozoic vertebrates have been already recognized to have significant scientific values internationally.

     About Cenozoic fossil mammals, we seem to fall way behind international standards because of our lack of attention to these fossils, but Korea has a high potential for research of this group, too. So, our laboratory is mainly focusing on studying vertebrate fossils to reconstruct the evolutionary dynamics of dinosaurs and mammals in the Cretaceous and Tertiary time at home and abroad.

     To achieve this difficult task, of course, we need a tremendous amount of information and highly educated vertebrate paleontologists. According to an educational system of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences in SNU, our lab provides various opportunities and experiences to graduate students with abundant research materials, excellent international programs, and research funds.