The Principle of Faunal Succession

The Principle of Faunal Succession states that fossils within rock layers appear in a specific chronological order, reflecting the gradual evolution of life over time. By studying these fossils, scientists can determine the relative age of rocks and understand which organisms existed during different periods. This principle helps reconstruct Earth's history because certain fossils are only found in particular layers, acting like biological markers. Essentially, fossils serve as a timeline, showing how plant and animal life has changed through geological time, enabling us to date rocks even without precise numerical methods.