Uncovering the Origins of the First Recorded Kiss in Mesopotamia 4500 Years Ago

A new study claims that kissing was already a well-established practice 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia, moving the earliest documentation for kissing back 1,000 years compared to what was previously acknowledged. The practice of kissing may have unintentionally played a role in the transmission of microorganisms, potentially causing viruses to spread among humans. However, the suggestion that the kiss may be regarded as a sudden biological trigger behind the spread of particular pathogens is more doubtful. Future research into ancient DNA will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach.