Dinosaurs, Fossils, & Prehistory
World Almanac for Kids - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source. In the
Age of Dinosaurs VIDEO section (in TOPICS, under LIFE SCIENCE) you can learn about the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods. Also includes related fun facts, videos, glossaries, and more; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Ancient Technology [Archived page] [Site was down when checked 10/24] - Explains prehistoric methods of making pottery, forming tools from bone or stone, and using bows and arrows. High school and up. (University of Iowa). Stone Age Toolkit [Archived pages] is an illustrated guide to common Stone Age tools. Also includes related photos from the Fenn (Clovis) Cache of artifacts. Middle school and up (2004, PBS Nova; site includes advertisements). See also Fossils and Human Origins, below.
Archaeology for Kids INTERACTIVE - A colorful, fun site for elementary and middle school students (American Museum of Natural History). See Archaeology Education for a brief 'Archaeology 101' primer, plus lesson plans on ancient cultures & archaeological methods (K-12), FAQ, and related links (2019, Archaeological Institute of America; site includes advertisements). For the latest discoveries & development, see Science Daily: Anthropology News & Science Daily: Archaelogy News & (Science Daily; site includes advertisements), Phys.org: Anthropology News & Phys.org: Archaeology News (part of Science X; site includes advertisements); and Live Science: Anthropology & Live Science: Archaeology (Live Science, part of Future US Inc, an international media group and digital publisher; site includes advertisements)
Cave Paintings of Lascaux VIDEO INTERACTIVE - A virtual tour of the famous pre-historic art found in the paleolithic caves of Lascaux, in France, with background info; click on Start Guided Tour to begin. The Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc and Megaliths in Morbihan are related sites (French Ministry of Culture). See also Stonehenge and links to other prehistoric sites in England.
Dinosaurs: Dinosaur Train Interactive Field Guide AUDIO VIDEO INTERACTIVE - Profiles for many species of Cretaceous and Jurassic dinosaurs, mammals, and reptiles, with proper name pronunciation and information on diet, size, and bone structure. For PreK - grade 2 (PBS). Zoom Dinosaur Information [Archived pages] has general facts about dinosaurs here (news section has not been updated since 2001), or click on List of Dinos to choose a dinosaur; includes basic information and pictures. For pre-K & elementary school students (1997 - 2023, Enchanted Learning; site includes advertisements). Dinosaur Books, Activities, & More is a great collection of books, activities, podcasts, apps, and websites for learning about dinosaurs, for ages 3 - 12 (2020; 'Start with a Book,' a summer reading program of Reading Rockets, WETA Public Broadcasting). For more recommended reading, see Picture Books about Dinosaurs (South Plainfield Public Library). Dinosaurs: Activities and Lesson Plans offers curriculum materials & classroom activities on dinosaurs, fossils, and related topics; for K-12 (American Museum of Natural History). Hadrosaurus [Archived page] describes the first nearly-complete dinosaur skeleton ever discovered, which was found in Haddonfield, New Jersey in 1858; the site also offers related videos & articles on Hadrosaurus VIDEO. Middle school and up (2008; by editor / journalist Hoag Levins / Haddonfield Dinosaur Sculpture Committee). See also Eons, Fossils, and Geologic Time. For the latest discoveries & developments, see Science Daily: Dinosaur News (Science Daily); Phys.org: Dinosaur News (part of Science X) and Live Science: Dinosaurs (Live Science).
Eons VIDEO - A collection of videos on the history of life on Earth, from the dawn of life through the Age of Dinosaurs, right up to the end of the most recent Ice Age (2018 - 2024, PBS / videos hosted on YouTube; site includes advertisements). See also See also Dinosaurs, Fossils, and Geologic Time.
Fossils & Ruins News (Science Daily) - The latest news about fossils and related topics (Science Daily). See also Fossil News (Phys.org) (part of Science X) and Fossil News (Live Science) (Live Science). For more fossil images, see Virtual Fossil Museum (by an all-volunteer consortium). See Digital Atlas of Ancient Life for more resources to 'identify fossils and explore the diversity & history of life on Earth.' Includes fossil field guides, virtual collection, teaching materials, and Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life; high school and up (Paleontological Research Institution). See also Dinosaurs, Eons, and Geologic Time.
Geologic Time: Life Through Time Visual Timeline [Archived page] - A brief description of each geologic era, with links to additional information & fossil photos for the plants and animals of that era; high school and up (1998 - 2019, Humboldt State University). See also Geological Timechart (2020, British Geological Survey). See also Dinosaurs, Eons, and Fossils.
Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human? AUDIO VIDEO - Exploring the question 'What does it mean to be human?', this website is 'dedicated to bringing you the excitement, latest findings, and profound implications of the scientific exploration of human origins.' High school and up (2010 - 2022, Smithsonian Institution). For the latest discoveries & developments, see Science Daily: Early Humans (Science Daily) and Live Science: Human Origins (Live Science). See also Evolution.
New Jersey Paleontology and Geology [Archived page] [Site was down when checked 10/24] - An overview of rocks, fossils, and dinosaurs in N.J., with information on each geologic period; includes selected links for each topic. Middle school and up (2003 - 2014, Paleo Portal [Archived page], University of California et al.). See also Hadrosaurus.
Paleontology for Kids INTERACTIVE - Fun facts, interviews, games, and other activities for elementary and middle school students (American Museum of Natural History). Paleontology Information INTERACTIVE offers links to a variety of online resources for students in grades K-12; appropriate grade level is specified for each resource (1994 - 2014, University of California). For news in paleontology, see Fossils & Ruins News and related links, above.
