The earliest evidence suggests that Neandertals and humans may have kissed. Figurines indicate that kissing might have been practiced even earlier, but the concrete evidence from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt documents kissing around 2500 BCE.
Evidence of Early Kissing
While pinpointing exactly "who first kissed" is impossible, archaeological and historical records provide some clues:
- Prehistoric Figurines: The existence of figurines suggest that kissing might predate written history.
- Neandertals and Humans: A hypothesis posits that interbreeding between Neandertals and humans may have led to the transmission of the kissing behavior.
- Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt (2500 BCE): Written texts and art from these regions offer some of the earliest documented evidence of kissing as a practice.
Interpretation
Determining the "first kiss" presents several challenges:
- Defining Kissing: The definition of kissing can vary. Is it a peck on the cheek, a lip-to-lip embrace, or something else?
- Limited Evidence: Archaeological and textual evidence is often incomplete or subject to interpretation.
- Cultural Variations: Kissing practices may have varied across different cultures and time periods.
Conclusion
Although precisely identifying the "first kiss" remains elusive, current evidence points to the possibility of kissing between Neandertals and humans, with concrete documentation appearing in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt around 2500 BCE.
