Earliest Human Kiss Traced Back to Mesopotamia 4,500 Years Ago

New study challenges previous beliefs about the origins of kissing, revealing its widespread practice in ancient Mesopotamia.

New research reveals that the earliest recorded instance of humans kissing dates back to at least 4,500 years ago, challenging previous beliefs that the practice originated in India around 1,500 BC.
The discovery was made through the study of clay tablets from Mesopotamia, which include references to romantic and sexual kissing.
The findings suggest that kissing was a common practice in ancient Mesopotamia and possibly other parts of the ancient world, not restricted to India.
Kissing is believed to have evolved in primates as a way to evaluate fitness in a potential mate through chemical cues.
The study also highlights that romantic kissing is not a universal practice across all cultures, even today, with only 46% of modern societies engaging in sexual or romantic kissing.