The oldest known crayon is a remarkable 10,000-year-old elongated piece of ochre with a sharpened end, discovered in an ancient lake bed in the UK. This ancient drawing tool provides fascinating insight into the artistic practices of Mesolithic people.
The Ancient Discovery
Archaeologists unearthed this prehistoric art tool at the Star Carr archaeological site in North Yorkshire, UK, a location renowned for its rich trove of Mesolithic artifacts. The discovery was particularly significant because the ochre piece showed clear signs of use, including a sharpened tip and striations, indicating it was actively used to apply color. Its age places it firmly within the Mesolithic period, demonstrating that early humans were already creating tools for artistic expression long before the advent of modern civilizations.
This ancient "crayon" was likely used for a variety of purposes:
- Body painting: Applying pigments to the skin for rituals or decoration.
- Rock art: Creating images or symbols on cave walls or stone surfaces.
- Decorating objects: Adding color to tools, clothing, or other artifacts.
What Constitutes a Crayon?
While the 10,000-year-old ochre piece may not resemble the wax crayons children use today, its function aligns with the fundamental definition of a crayon: a stick of colored material used for drawing or coloring. The key difference lies in the binder and manufacturing process.
The table below highlights the contrasts between this ancient discovery and the modern crayon we are familiar with:
| Feature | Ancient Ochre "Crayon" | Modern Wax Crayon |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Age | Approximately 10,000 years old | Patented in the early 20th century |
| Primary Material | Naturally occurring ochre (iron oxide pigment) | Pigment mixed with wax (e.g., paraffin, stearic acid) |
| Form | Naturally shaped, elongated stone with sharpened end | Cylindrical, manufactured stick |
| Discovery Location | Star Carr, North Yorkshire, UK | Industrial production worldwide |
| Primary Use | Applying pigment for artistic expression, body art, or decoration | Drawing, coloring, artistic activities |
| Durability | Durable stone, but might fragment | Can break if dropped, melts with heat |
The Evolution of Drawing Tools
The discovery of the Star Carr ochre provides a crucial link in the long history of human creativity. Before modern drawing instruments, people utilized natural resources to create art:
- Charcoal: Burnt wood has been a simple and effective drawing tool for millennia, producing dark lines and shadows.
- Natural Pigments: Earths (like ochre in various shades), minerals, and plant extracts were ground and often mixed with binders (such as animal fat or water) to create paints or solid pigment sticks.
- Styluses and Reeds: Early writing and drawing often involved using sharpened sticks or reeds with inks or on soft surfaces like clay.
The innovation of modern wax crayons, as we know them, largely began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Companies like Crayola (founded in 1903) revolutionized art education by making affordable, non-toxic, and vibrant wax crayons widely available, transforming drawing into an accessible activity for everyone.
The 10,000-year-old ochre crayon serves as a powerful reminder that the desire to create and express ourselves through art is a fundamental human trait, stretching back to our earliest ancestors.
