While the intercoastal clavicle may not actually exist, paleontology itself is a real branch of science that studies the forms of life that existed in former geologic periods. Paleontologists work mostly with fossils (Latin for "dug up"), much like the work David is doing with the fictional intercoastal clavicle and his beloved brontosaurus skeleton.

>People have been making paleontological observations since as far back as the 5th Century BC, but it did not become an established science until the 18th century. In fact, the word "palaeontology" wasn't first used until 1822, when Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blanville first coined the term.

>During the early 20th century, paleontology digs began to increase in frequency across the globe (in fact between 1834 and 1969, over 170 genera were known). This also led to an increase and expansion of major museums of natural history.

>Of course, not everything becomes a fossil and the conditions by which something can be classified as a fossil are pretty rigorous (in fact, only about 30% of species are ever fossilized).

>So how does something become a fossil? Well, some animals are buried after their death (mud, sandstorm, etc.) until, over time, the remains are encased in the sediment. As the bone starts to decay, water infused with minerals seeps into the bone and replaces the chemicals in the bone with rock like minerals. Thus, while the fossil is the same shape as the original it's actually chemically more like a rock!