US EditionKissing started 20 million years ago, long before humans existed
Oxford-led research estimates kissing began 21.5–16.9 million years ago in great ape ancestors, with 10 million simulations supporting this evolutionary origin.
- On Wednesday, a study in Evolution and Human Behavior reported that kissing originated in primate ancestors over 20 million years ago, based on research by Oxford University and the Florida Institute of Technology from Amsterdam.
- Researchers used a modelling approach combining observations and phylogenies, defining kissing as non-aggressive mouth-to-mouth contact without food transfer and running more than 10 million simulations to estimate its origins.
- Comparing living apes, the researchers noted chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans and one gorilla species all show mouth-to-mouth contact, while authors argue extinct relatives like Neanderthals likely kissed too.
- The study's findings open avenues for further research since a 2015 human survey finding showed only 46% practice kissing, and researchers note kissing may serve mate choice, foreplay, social bonding, soothing, or parental feeding.
- Debate persists over origins and data limitations as Dr. Matilda Brindle said 'We did find a strong evolutionary signal in kissing but it doesn't mean it has to be retained', noting much behavioural data come from captive primates and more wild observations are needed.
14 Articles
14 Articles
It's what people do, it's done by monkeys and even polar bears, and now researchers have reconstructed the evolution of kisses.
Kissing started 20 million years ago, long before humans existed
Kissing may feel like a very human habit, but new research suggests it has much deeper roots. A team of scientists says the behavior likely began more than 20 million years ago, long before modern humans existed.
Researchers have found that kissing is not a cultural invention, and the origins go much further back than ever thought.
Researchers have found that kissing is not a cultural invention, and the origins go much further back than ever thought.
The kissing could be about 21 million years old, now yielded an evolutionary biological analysis. The Neanderthal also knew the kiss
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