Crimean Neanderthals made Stone Age crayons from ocher 50,000 years ago

Recent archaeological discoveries in Ukraine have revealed that Neanderthals crafted crayons from ocher as far back as 50,000 years ago. Two distinct pieces of ocher, excavated from ancient rock shelters, exhibit clear indications of being intentionally shaped for artistic use and reworked over time. The artifacts, recovered from layers dating back 47,000 and 46,000 years, include a third piece that features meticulously carved parallel lines. These findings contribute to the mounting evidence of Neanderthal creativity, suggesting they possessed a degree of artistic expression. The rock shelters, situated near the contemporary city of Bilohirsk in Crimea, were inhabited by Neanderthals between 100,000 and 33,000 years ago. Archaeologists have uncovered numerous chunks of ocher, a mineral rich in iron, which displays various alterations, including flakes removed and grooves carved into their surfaces. These modifications indicate how Neanderthals extracted vivid pigments in shades of red, orange, and yellow from the stone. Using advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, researchers, including D’Errico and his team, examined 16 ocher samples to gain insight into the activities of these ancient inhabitants. While ocher has a wide range of applications—from serving as a pigment to being utilized in tool-making adhesives—two specific pieces from the site known as Zaskalnaya V stand out as particularly unique. One of these pieces, measuring 44.8 millimeters in length and 23.3 millimeters in width, is distinctly fashioned into a crayon-like tool, showing signs of repeated sharpening. D’Errico and colleagues noted that this artifact likely underwent a process of scraping to achieve its pointed shape, followed by smoothing on a grindstone. Evidence of chisel marks near the tip suggests it was intentionally sharpened to maintain its functionality. Like modern crayons, the ancient tool eventually became worn down through use and was lost among the debris on the shelter floor. The second artifact, a 25.4-millimeter-long fragment of red ocher, closely resembles the yellow piece, though its tip is notably broken off. These discoveries not only highlight the innovative practices of Neanderthals but also challenge traditional views of their cognitive capabilities.