Year in Review Science & Society

2020’s science superlatives include the oldest, highest and grossest discoveries

The earliest known modern bird and other record-breaking animals are among the highlights

a 3-D printed skull of Asteriornis maastrichtensis

Vertebrate paleontologist Daniel Field of the University of Cambridge holds a 3-D printed skull of Asteriornis maastrichtensis, also known as the “Wonderchicken,” which lived nearly 67 million years ago and is the earliest known modern bird.

D.J. Field/Univ. Of Cambridge

By Erika Engelhaupt

- More than 2 years ago

From the biggest merger of black holes to the world’s oldest string — fashioned by Neandertals, no less — discoveries in 2020 set new records that amazed and inspired.