The Evolution of Kissing: A 21 Million Year Journey

A recent study has revealed fascinating insights into the evolutionary origins of kissing. Scientists have traced this behavior back approximately 21 million years, suggesting that the common ancestor of humans and other great apes likely engaged in this practice.

The research team studied various species to understand the prevalence of kissing in the animal kingdom. They defined a kiss as mouth-to-mouth contact with some lip movement and no food transfer. This behavior was observed in several animals, including monkeys, polar bears, and even albatrosses.

Interestingly, the study also concluded that Neanderthals, our ancient human relatives, probably kissed too. This finding is supported by evidence of shared oral microbes between modern humans and Neanderthals, indicating saliva exchange over hundreds of thousands of years.

While the exact reason for the evolution of kissing remains unclear, researchers hope this study will pave the way for further investigation into its purpose and significance across species.