Neanderthals and early humans likely kissed, study suggests
A study from the University of Oxford suggests that Neanderthals and early humans likely kissed, and might even have kissed each other.
Why it matters
- The study sheds light on the evolutionary origins of kissing.
- It suggests that kissing behavior might have been present in Neanderthals and early humans.
- This finding adds a new dimension to our understanding of human-Neanderthal interactions.
By the numbers
- Kissing is suggested to have evolved between 21.5 million and 16.9 million years ago.
- The study focused on reports of kissing in primates from Africa and Asia.
The big picture
- Kissing is not unique to humans and is seen in a variety of species.
- The behavior could have been used for both sexual and platonic bonding.
- The study supports the idea that Neanderthals and humans interacted intimately.
What they're saying
- Experts suggest that kissing behavior's origins lie deep in our evolutionary past.
- Kissing has a cultural element and is not common to all societies.
- The behavior could have been important for promoting trust and intimacy for millions of years.
Caveats
- The study is based on observations and reports, which might not be entirely accurate.
- The exact nature of human-Neanderthal interactions remains speculative.
What’s next
- Further research could explore the cultural and evolutionary significance of kissing in more detail.
- Studies might investigate kissing behaviors in a wider variety of species to push its origins back even earlier.