A paleoanthropologist is a scientist who studies the origins and development of early humans and their ancestors. They examine fossils, artifacts, and other evidence to understand how humans evolved over millions of years. This field combines aspects of anthropology, archaeology, and paleontology to piece together the story of human history. Paleoanthropologists often work with remains of ancient hominins, such as Australopithecus and Homo erectus, to learn about their physical characteristics and behaviors. They also analyze tools and other cultural artifacts to gain insights into how early humans lived and adapted to their environments.