Early Primate Evolution: Web Expeditions

These explorations are intended to expand your understanding of the evolution of the first primates and the times in which they lived. Use your favorite Internet search programs to roam around the World Wide Web and discover what other people who have interest in these subjects have said to explain and support their views. Seek out reliable, factual sources. Do not stop at just two or three. It is worth the extra time to thoroughly research these questions and get views on all sides of the issues.

1.	European cultures were not the only ones that have attempted to determine the age of our planet and of life. Search the Internet for information about how other cultures have done it. What were their methods? How old did they estimate the age of the earth and of life?
2.	Search the Internet for information about major global extinctions in the past. When did they occur? What is thought to have caused them? What were their effects?
3.	Search the Internet for information about non-human primate fossils found in North America. What were these species like? When did they live? Where did they live? What were their environments like? Why do you think they became extinct in North America?

If you have not been satisfied with the search programs that you have used in the past, try one of the following. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, none of them can link you to everything available on the Web today because of the rapid growth of sites and the way search engines selectively exclude certain kinds of sites.

If you don't have success searching with these programs, take a look at the Related Internet Links section of this tutorial.

CAUTION: In doing your searches, keep in mind that not everything on the Web is accurate, current, or true. To help discover which sites can be trusted and which ones cannot, ask yourself the following questions:

1.	Who are the authors of the site? What are their credentials? Are they experts?
2.	Is the information current? When was the website created and last updated?
3.	Do the facts presented in the site seem correct?
4.	Is the purpose of the site to objectively inform and explain or to persuade and sell a particular perspective?

Old Standby General Search Programs		Specialized Information Search Programs

Altavista Alltheweb Bing Google Teoma Yahoo		Answers.com MyOptumHealth MedBot MEDLINEplus OminMedicalSearch Wikipedia