Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.^[1] 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 1841.

• On June 30, Sir Richard Owen presents his findings regarding some enormous bones that the Reverend William Buckland had acquired at an earlier date. He names the new genus to which these bones belong "Cetiosaurus." This event marks the first scientific description of a sauropod.^[2]
• Owen presents his treatise on British fossil reptiles to the British Association in August. This treatise marks the creation of a taxon called "Dinosauria."^[2]

Name Status Authors Location Notes Images Cardiodon Nomen dubium Sir Richard Owen,  UK Possible subjective synonym of Cetiosaurus Cetiosaurus Valid Sir Richard Owen,  France   Switzerland  Morocco  UK A European Sauropod Cladeiodon Misidentification Sir Richard Owen,  Germany Dubious non-dinosaurian archosaur. Suchosaurus Nomen dubium Sir Richard Owen  England  Portugal Possible subjective synonym of Baryonyx.

Name Status Authors Location Notes Images Pliosaurus Valid Owen  Argentina  Chile  France  Norway  Poland  Russia  Tunisia  UK A Giant Pliosaur. Polyptychodon Valid Owen  Czech Republic  France  Germany  Japan  Russia   Switzerland  UK "Thaumatosaurus" Valid Meyer