The area of Earth science that examines the physical and biological changes that have occurred in the past is called paleontology.

While other branches of Earth science, like geology and biology, also contribute to understanding past changes, paleontology specifically focuses on:

* Fossils: Analyzing the remains of ancient organisms to understand past life forms and ecosystems.

* Stratigraphy: Studying rock layers and their sequences to determine the order and timing of past events.

* Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing past climates using various methods like ice cores, tree rings, and sediment analysis.

So, paleontology is the primary Earth science discipline that studies the history of life and Earth's physical environment through the study of fossils and geological evidence.