What would be the best way to search on Google in looking up the progression of metal discovery and metal use?

What I'd like is a kind of timeline that would show both use and discovery. Also, I'd like to know the times these various metals were used in various civilizations.

Many thanks for how I could conduct this search efficiently and with results more to the point of inquiry without so many useless hits.

WW

I entered in:

Metallurgical and metal discovery

and got some very good results and no useless hits. You can try subtle variations on this to tweak your results.

Rubrick

Thanks, Rubrick. I'll try what you suggested. I did pull up an interesting, if somewhat misspelled, energy timeline.

WW

the best way to search on Google

If you're looking for something so specific, WW, you may find a directory search is useful. You can do this from Google (Directory tab), or you can cut out the middle man and go straight to the Open Directory that underlies practically all Search Engine Directories:
http://www.dmoz.org

Having said all that, a quick browse through didn't show up a clear timeline of metal discovery and use.... then again, try this:
http://www.enged.com/students/matcom/matcom46.html

Nothing to do with your actual question, but.

Kinda neat this new service they've put into action, using the same Google-ified ranking system for current events:

http://news.google.com

WW, you could also try Iron Age Tools; Bronze Age Tools; and you could also search the archives at http://Archaeology.org for the History of Metal, etc.

Thanks everybody. I'll get busy when I return.

Best regards,
WW

For searches of this kind, I recommend Copernic, available from http://www.copernic.com It comes in a free, ad-supported version, and in two paid-for versions, offering extra features. It currently performs searches through 20 major search engines. I still use Google first, for its convenience, but turn to Copernic if I don't find what I'm after.

I recommend Copernic, available from http://www.copernic.com

But this is software that you have to download and install (and eventually pay for), sjm. There's no comparison between that and Google or any Web-based search engine. And there are loads of free Web-based alternatives (including meta-search engines) - many without ads - if you can't google what you want.

No thank you