Dinosaur highways, first fires and planet parades: Science’s biggest moments of 2025

One of the World’s Longest Dinosaur Trackways Unearthed in Oxfordshire Quarry (Image: Reuters)

• Science in 2025 delivered awe and insight, from vast dinosaur trackways and ancient fire-making evidence to rare planetary alignments and precious Moon samples. Studies of chimp medicine, human bonding and environmental threats showed how discovery and warning often move together.

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From ancient human breakthroughs to rare sights in the modern sky, scientists across disciplines reported a year filled with discovery, surprise, and warning, highlighting how research continues to reshape understanding of Earth, life, and humanity’s past.

Ancient History And Deep Time Discoveries

One of the year’s most striking finds emerged from a quarry in Oxfordshire, where researchers uncovered one of the world’s largest known dinosaur trackway sites. Around 200 massive footprints, preserved for nearly 166 million years, were found etched into stone. Scientists identified the tracks as belonging to two very different dinosaurs, a long-necked sauropod believed to be Cetiosaurus and the fearsome, meat-eating Megalosaurus. Some trackways stretch up to 150 metres, with experts suggesting many more may remain buried.

Elsewhere, archaeologists working at Barnham in Suffolk uncovered the earliest known evidence of human-made fire, dating back roughly 400,000 years. The discovery pushes controlled fire use back by more than 350,000 years and marks a crucial step in human evolution, allowing early humans to cook food, stay warm, and develop more complex social lives.

Life, Behaviour And Surprising Intelligence

Studies of living species also challenged long-held assumptions. Research comparing social bonding across animals revealed humans rank unexpectedly high for monogamy, with around 66% forming long-term pair bonds. While humans fall short of famously loyal species like the California deermouse, scientists noted humans surpass both chimpanzees and gorillas in consistent pairing. In Uganda, wild chimpanzees astonished researchers by using plants to treat wounds and injuries. A University of Oxford-led team documented chimpanzees applying plant material to themselves and others, strengthening evidence that animals possess practical knowledge of natural medicines passed through generations.

Space, Sky And Planetary Science

The cosmos offered its own moments of wonder. In February, skywatchers witnessed a rare planetary alignment, with seven planets visible in the evening sky. Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury appeared clearly, while Saturn sat low and Uranus and Neptune required telescopes. Astronomers said such favourable conditions will not return until 2040. Meanwhile, lunar science advanced when Moon dust samples arrived in the United Kingdom for the first time in nearly 50 years. Loaned from China, the grains are now stored in a secure Milton Keynes facility, where Professor Mahesh Anand is studying them. Scientists say the material could reshape understanding of the Moon’s formation and evolution.

Science As Warning And Witness

Not all developments brought optimism. A giant iceberg drifting towards a remote island raised alarms for wildlife, underscoring science’s role in identifying emerging threats. Together, these discoveries show how science in 2025 continued to reveal humanity’s deep past, living intelligence, cosmic context, and environmental risks, offering insight, awe, and caution in equal measure.