1884 in paleontology

List of years in paleontology (table)
… 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 …
In science 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887
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Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1884.

Expeditions, field work, and fossil discoveries

• J. B. Tyrell discovered a partial Albertosaurus skull near Kneehills Creek in Alberta Canada. This specimen is now catalogued as CMN 5600.

Scientific advances

Vertebrate paleozoology

Pseudosuchians described in 1884

Name	Status	Authors	Age	Unit	Location	Notes
Macelognathus	Valid	Othniel Charles Marsh	Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian)	Morrison Formation	US	A sphenosuchian crocodylomorph.

Prehistoric dinosaurs described in 1884

Name	Status	Authors	Age	Unit	Location	Notes
Ceratosaurus	Valid	Othniel Charles Marsh	Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian)	Morrison Formation	US	A ceratosaurid ceratosaur.
Dinodocus	Nomen dubium	Sir Richard Owen	Early Cretaceous (Aptian)	Hythe Formation	UK	A macronarian of unknown affinities

Non-mammalian synapsids described in 1884

Name	Status	Authors	Discovery year	Age	Unit	Location	Notes
Tritylodon	Valid	Owen

Plesiosaurs described in 1884

Name	Status	Authors	Notes
Dactylosaurus	Valid	Gurich