Final answer:
Paleoanthropology is the detailed study of human origins using fossils and other remains, encapsulated within the wider field of biological anthropology that examines the biological and cultural evolution of humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of the origins and predecessors of the present human species, based on fossils and other remains, is known as paleoanthropology. This scientific discipline falls under the broader category of biological anthropology, which explores the biological and sociocultural development of humans from the earliest times to the present. Biological anthropologists study the various aspects of human evolution, including the human genome, our shared traits with primates, and the adaptation and variability of the human species across different environments.
Paleoanthropology involves careful research and reconstruction of prehistoric human life through archaeological finds. Through the study of fossils, genetic data, and migration patterns, scientists gain insights into how our ancestors adapted to their environments, evolved, and spread across the planet. This field of study is dynamic, as it continuously adjusts theories and hypotheses in the light of new discoveries and evidence.