A groundbreaking study has explored the evolutionary history of kissing, revealing that both ancient humans and Neanderthals may have engaged in this intimate behavior. Researchers, led by Matilda Brindle, investigated kissing across various primate species, including modern humans and their extinct relatives, to understand when and how this behavior emerged.
The study defined kissing as non-aggressive, mouth-to-mouth contact between members of the same species that does not involve food transfer. This definition excludes behaviors that may resemble kissing, such as food-sharing among primates or mouth-to-mouth exchanges seen in ants, which engage in a process called trophallaxis. By focusing on genuine kissing behaviors, the researchers found that numerous primates, particularly apes, exhibit this type of interaction.
Kissing has been observed in various species, with bonobos showing particularly affectionate tendencies, including prolonged tongue contact. Other apes engage in kissing both as a form of affection and during mating rituals. The research indicated that kissing likely dates back to the ancestors of large apes, which were likely engaging in the behavior as far back as 21.5 to 16.9 million years ago.
The implications of this research extend to understanding the social behaviors of Neanderthals, who were likely not averse to kissing. Previous findings suggest that modern humans and Neanderthals shared an oral microbe long after diverging from a common ancestor. This indicates that the two species may have exchanged saliva, potentially through kissing or other close interactions.
While the evidence does not definitively prove that Neanderthals and early humans kissed, the findings suggest a more complex social dynamic than previously understood. The possibility that our ancestors engaged in intimate behaviors with Neanderthals adds a fascinating layer to the narrative of human evolution.
This research not only sheds light on the social behaviors of our ancestors but also emphasizes the continuity of affectionate behaviors in primates today. As researchers continue to explore the evolutionary roots of human behavior, the study of kissing offers a unique window into our past.
The implications of these findings are significant, prompting a re-evaluation of how we perceive the interactions between ancient species. As we consider our evolutionary history, the idea that kissing may have been shared between Neanderthals and early humans challenges conventional narratives and highlights the complex social behaviors that have shaped our species.
