The Science Lab
2 weeks ago
Kissing's Ancient Origins: A 21-Million - Year Kiss
A new study looks at how the mouth-on-mouth smooch came into being, and concludes that Neanderthals also kissed.
Kissing's Ancient Origins: A 21-Million - Year Kiss
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the origins of the first kisses, dating back 21 million years to the common ancestor of humans and other large apes. The study, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, challenges the notion that kissing has no clear evolutionary purpose by pinpointing its emergence in our primate lineage.
The researchers, led by Dr. Matilda Brindle from the University of Oxford, defined kissing as a non-aggressive, oral-to-oral contact involving some lip movement without food transfer. By analyzing behaviors in various species-including humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, wolves, prairie dogs, polar bears, and even albatrosses-they identified a consistent pattern that aligns with their definition. This cross-species comparison helped them construct an "evolutionary family tree" to pinpoint when kissing likely evolved.
The findings suggest that the common ancestor of humans and other great apes engaged in this behavior around 21.5 million years ago, making it a fundamental part of our evolutionary history. The study's precision in defining kissing was crucial, as it allowed for a more accurate reconstruction of the behavior's origins. Neanderthals, our closest ancient relatives, were also found to have practiced this behavior, hinting at a shared cultural practice among early human ancestors.
This research not only sheds light on the ancient roots of human social behavior but also provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary pressures that may have led to the development of such a seemingly simple yet significant act.