Shaking hands or some kind of embrace, using the arms or hands is common place throughout the world, not just within western civilisations.
It has developed from the days when people used to live in very small, isolated communities, hunting for food and not really coming into contact with outsiders.
When a stranger appeared, he was usually perceived as some kind of a threat, so in order to diffuse any aggression, the stranger would make some indication that he was not bearing arms. Since most people are right handed and would use the right hand to carry arms, a waving of the right arm and hand would indicate that he was unarmed.
As time progressed, within the Middle Ages and the use of daggers etc, the handshake started to evolve as a sign that no weapons were concealed under clothes.
Women were not usually viewed as a threat, so women did not shake hands: this has only recently evolved.
It has developed from the days when people used to live in very small, isolated communities, hunting for food and not really coming into contact with outsiders.
When a stranger appeared, he was usually perceived as some kind of a threat, so in order to diffuse any aggression, the stranger would make some indication that he was not bearing arms. Since most people are right handed and would use the right hand to carry arms, a waving of the right arm and hand would indicate that he was unarmed.
As time progressed, within the Middle Ages and the use of daggers etc, the handshake started to evolve as a sign that no weapons were concealed under clothes.
Women were not usually viewed as a threat, so women did not shake hands: this has only recently evolved.