How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

Fossils provide crucial evidence for evolution by offering a historical record of past life and demonstrating changes in species over time. This record enables scientists to observe the morphological changes that have occurred within a lineage as well as between different lineages. By examining the fossilized remains, scientists can track how species have adapted to their environments, diversified, or gone extinct over successive geological periods. This information forms a timeline of evolutionary history, revealing patterns such as gradual changes in structure, the emergence of new traits, and the relationships between extinct and extant species. The fossil record thus acts as a foundational piece of evidence supporting the theory of evolution, illustrating the dynamic nature of life on Earth and providing insights into the processes that have shaped biodiversity.