Paleoclimatology is the study of past climate conditions, typically spanning hundreds to millions of years. Researchers in this field analyze various sources of evidence, such as sediment cores, ice cores, tree rings, and fossilized pollen, to reconstruct past climates and understand how they have changed over time. By studying past climate variations, scientists can gain insights into natural climate cycles, the impact of human activities on the climate, and make more accurate predictions about future climate trends.