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

Here's a breakdown:

* Paleo- means "ancient" or "old".

* -ology means "the study of".

Paleontology is a broad field that encompasses the study of:

* Fossils: The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.

* Past environments: Using fossils and geological evidence to reconstruct the Earth's climate, geography, and ecosystems in the past.

* Evolution: Studying fossils to understand how life has changed over millions of years.

* Mass extinctions: Investigating past periods of widespread extinction events and their causes.

While paleontology primarily focuses on the history of life, it also overlaps with other Earth sciences like geology, geophysics, and climatology.