According to archaeologists, evidence suggests that humans who lived during the Stone Age may have engaged in same-sex relationships. While it’s difficult to determine the exact nature of these relationships from thousands of years ago, there are compelling indications from ancient art and petroglyphs that same-sex interactions were present and perhaps even accepted.

Gay Cavemen in the Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs

One of the most fascinating examples comes from the Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs, a series of rock carvings discovered in northeast China. These carvings, believed to date back to the Neolithic period (around 7,000 to 5,000 BCE), feature over 100 figures involved in various sexual activities. What makes these carvings particularly notable is the depiction of ithyphallic (erect) males engaging in sexual acts with both all genders, suggesting a degree of bisexuality among early humans. These images provide some of the earliest recorded evidence of sexual diversity in ancient human societies, offering insight into the complexities of human sexuality throughout history.

Exploring Sexual Norms in Early Human Societies

While petroglyphs like those at Kangjiashimenji offer a glimpse into sexual behaviors in prehistoric times, it’s important to consider the broader context. Sexuality in early human communities may have been less rigidly defined than in modern times. Survival, kinship, and social bonds likely played significant roles in shaping relationships, with reproductive imperatives coexisting alongside other forms of intimacy and connection. It’s possible that same-sex interactions were part of these social dynamics, serving purposes beyond reproduction, such as strengthening alliances or simply fulfilling personal desires.

Bringing the Past to Life: A Modern Take

Fast forward approximately 3,000 years from the Stone Age to the modern era, and we see how these ancient dynamics continue to inspire creative interpretations. In a hilarious and satirical sketch written and directed by comedian John McKeever, we are transported to a fictionalized past where early humans grapple with the consequences of same-sex interactions.

In the sketch, a group of male cavemen are seen discussing their community’s dwindling population. The apparent alpha male proposes a rather crude hypothesis as to why their numbers are declining: “When men are with men, and women are with women—basically when we do samesies—no people come out. So we can’t do samesies for awhile,” he says, much to the frustration of the group.

As the other cavemen scramble to offer alternative solutions, one younger member of the group suggests they “still do samesies, but we take the people juice, and we throw it on the opposite.” The concept of wasting “people juice” when engaging in same-sex activities is played for laughs, underscoring the comedic tension within the group. The sketch cleverly touches on the timeless debate surrounding reproductive strategies and same-sex intimacy in early human communities.

Historical Context of Gay Cavemen

While McKeever’s sketch offers a humorous take on early human sexuality, it reflects a larger conversation about how same-sex relationships may have been viewed in the past. Historical evidence, such as the Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs, shows that same-sex relationships or behaviors have been part of human culture for millennia. In ancient Greece, for example, same-sex relationships between men were often socially accepted, especially in the context of mentorship and camaraderie. Similarly, various indigenous cultures around the world have historically recognized the existence of more fluid or diverse sexual identities and relationships.

While we may never know for certain how early human societies viewed same-sex relationships, archaeological findings and cultural studies offer tantalizing clues that sexual diversity is as ancient as humanity itself. These insights challenge modern preconceptions about the “naturalness” of certain sexual behaviors and remind us that human sexuality has always been complex and multifaceted.

Watch the hilarious video below to see a modern-day take on ancient love and the eternal debate about how early humans navigated their relationships and reproduction.

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Mulcahy has been going to Russia at least once a year since 2012 to visit with Christian and non-Christian groups. This particular group happened to be a local LGBT group called Avers. Because Russia’s new anty-terrorism law makes it hard for visiting religious officials, people like Mulcahy are more visible on the radar.

After taking him into custody, authorities grilled the pastor for four hours, using only a translator provided my police. His lawyer wasn’t allowed to call him, and he could hardly understand what they were saying.

Living for black.

A post shared by Gayety (@gayety) on Aug 11, 2016 at 8:06am PDT

“They took the cup out of my hand and took me away,” Jim Mulcahy told The Daily Beast from an undisclosed location in Eastern Europe. “Fortunately, Russia can’t throw me out of Eastern Europe or post-Soviet space. They can only throw me out of Russia.”

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After appearing in court, a judge denied his motions to wait until his lawyer could represent him and get some witnesses, and to delay the trial based on his age and health, reports The Daily Beast. Russian TV later said that evening Mulcahy would be fined and thrown out of the country.

“Basically, I had a trial where I didn’t understand what was going on,” he said. “Russia is the second country I’ve been kicked out of.”

Mulcahy was also kicked out of Iraq and moved to Egypt as a younger man. He eventually became a hospital chaplain, but after being diagnosed with cancer in 2000, decided to find religion again, which led him to perform missions around the world.

Related: Coming Out of the Closet as a Gay Christian

After the situation, a friend booked him a flight to Helsinki so he could bypass the media frenzy at Moscow airport, The Daily Beast reports. But the police were waiting for him at the Samara base.

“They tried to do an interrogation,” Mulcahy said. “They took away my court papers and didn’t return them. They kept asking for names of people in Samara and phone numbers, but I refused to give them.”

? on ? down.

A post shared by Gayety (@gayety) on Aug 11, 2016 at 8:03am PDT

As for the nameless others at the tea party: it’s all in a day for an LGBT person in Russia. Two young Russians wearing priest collars were caught on tape, which is why Mulcahy’s lawyer filed an appeal there’s no chance of winning.

But, Mulcahy says, we must make these appeals to show that the courts are not following the constitution. It’s like water dripping on a stone; eventually, it wears away.

Read the story at The Daily Beast.

David Artavia is an actor/writer from New York City, and founder of The Real Gay Guy. He loves living vicariously through his friends. Follow him on Twitter and Like his Facebook page.