The aim of this volume is to provide a basis for evaluating the information potential of fossiliferous sediments and then to give an outline of the strategy and tactics to adopt in gathering the information in the field. The book is not designed as a simple handbook but as a guide, prompt and information source to use at base, at outcrop and in the lab. The size of the volume means that a general knowledge of the plant and animal phyla is assumed, and that the user will have some identification text to hand. No keys for identification are included. The reader will also probably have carried out some mapping in the field area or made a site investigation and will be familiar with the geological time scale and basics of sedimentology.