Uncovering the Origins of Kissing: A 4500-Year-Old Discovery

The first recorded kiss can be traced back to 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia, according to researchers. Ancient texts from around 2500 BCE describe kissing as part of romantic intimacy, friendships, and family relations. The authors of the article challenge recent research suggesting that the first kiss occurred in India 3,500 years ago, pointing to evidence of lip kissing in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. The practice of kissing may have evolutionary roots, as it has been observed in other primates. The researchers conclude that kissing was an ordinary part of everyday life in central parts of the ancient Middle East and was practiced by multiple ancient cultures for thousands of years, making it unlikely that the spread of herpes was caused by a sudden rise in smooching.