Archive · 19 Nov 2025
First Kiss Traced Back to Primate Ancestors 20 Million Years Ago
Scientists found that kissing started 20 million years ago with our primate ancestors.
It's not just for humans!
It helps us make friends, find mates, and maybe even check if someone's healthy.
Even our ancient human cousins, the Neanderthals, might have kissed.
Kissing began around 20 million years ago in primate ancestors of great apes
Humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas all kiss, suggesting inherited behavior
Study used evolutionary relationships and behavioral observations to date the first kiss
Kissing serves various purposes like assessing mate quality, increasing sexual arousal, or boosting social bonds
Neanderthals and humans likely kissed, given evidence of interbreeding and shared oral microbes
- Who
- Humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas
- What
- Engaged in kissing behavior
- When
- Around 20 million years ago
- Where
- Among primate ancestors of great apes
- Why
- To assess mate quality, increase sexual arousal, or boost social bonds
Evolutionary Advantage of Kissing
Romantic vs. Platonic Kissing
Purpose of Kissing
Evolutionary Advantage of Kissing
Some suggest it's a way to assess mate quality or suitability
Romantic vs. Platonic Kissing
Alternatively, it could be a form of foreplay or social bonding
- Study Published In
- Evolution and Human Behavior
- Lead Author
- Dr. Matilda Brindle of Oxford's Department of Biology
- First Kiss Estimated Between
- 21.5-16.9 million years ago
