Archaeologists discover 10,000-year-old crayon in England

Archaeologists in England have discovered a 10,000-year-old crayon that might have been used to draw on animal skins.

The 22 millimeter-long ocher drawing implement was found near the site of an ancient lake in North Yorkshire, England.

Archaeologists from the University of York also discovered an ocher pebble at a site near one of the most well-known Mesolithic sites in Europe, The BBC reports.

The pebble’s heavily striated surface suggests it was probably scraped to produce a red pigment powder, according to The BBC.

Dr. Andy Needham, the lead author of the study, said the objects are important in understanding how people interacted with the local environment, according to The BBC.

“It’s possible there could have been an artistic use for these objects, perhaps for colouring animal skins or for use in decorative artwork,” he told The BBC.

“Colour was a very significant part of hunter-gatherer life and ochre gives you a very vibrant red colour,” he said.

He said the crayon-like object appears to have been used.

“One of the latest objects we have found looks exactly like a crayon, the tip is faceted and has gone from a round end to a really sharpened end, suggesting it has been used,” he told The BBC.

A Mesolithic pendant and more than 30 red deer antler headdresses were previously found in the area.