Story perspectives

Kissing: A 21 Million Year Evolutionary Connection Revealed

11/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Dr. Matilda Brindle of the University of Oxford traced kissing to the ancestors of great apes, about 21 million years ago.
The study defines kissing as non-aggressive mouth-to-mouth contact without food transfer.
Evidence suggests Neanderthals likely engaged in kissing, possibly with modern humans.
Kissing is observed in many species but documented in only 46% of human cultures.
The findings reveal complex social behaviors shared among primates.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Dr. Matilda Brindle of the University of Oxford traced kissing to the ancestors of great apes, about 21 million years ago.
The study defines kissing as non-aggressive mouth-to-mouth contact without food transfer.
Evidence suggests Neanderthals likely engaged in kissing, possibly with modern humans.
Kissing is observed in many species but documented in only 46% of human cultures.
The findings reveal complex social behaviors shared among primates.