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 1882.

Name	Status	Authors	Age	Location	Notes	Images
Edaphosaurus	Valid	Cope	280 Million of years ago	Czech Republic  Germany  USA ( New Mexico,  Oklahoma,  Texas and  West Virginia)	a Sail-Backed ProtoMammal.

• The fossil collection of the recently deceased Reverend William Fox, which contained over 500 specimens, was bought by the trustees of the British Museum of Natural History.^[3]