Research finds humans were kissing as early as 4,500 years ago

Babylonian clay model showing an erotic scene from 1800 BC (The Trustees of the British Museum/PA)

Humanity’s earliest recorded kiss dates back to around 4,500 years ago in the ancient Middle East – 1,000 years earlier than previously thought, according to researchers.

Scientists said they have found literary evidence that kissing was practised in the earliest Mesopotamian societies and may even have contributed to the spread of of cold sores.