Question

Who recognized the different layers of rock contained unique collections of fossils?

Answer 1

Hi!

The person who first recognized that different layers of rock were home to unique collections of fossils was William Smith.

He discovered that different layers of rock which were representative of different deposition periods (strata) were always oriented in the same manner relative to each other, and that each of these strata contained a unique collection of fossils that pertained to extinct lifeforms.

Hope this helps!