Neanderthals Used Ocher Crayons for Symbolic Art
TL;DR Summary
Evidence suggests Neanderthals made and used ocher crayons for drawing or marking, with wear marks indicating they were used on soft surfaces. A 73,000-year-old drawing from South Africa and carved ocher pieces from Crimea demonstrate that Neanderthals engaged in complex cultural and artistic activities, challenging the view that they lacked symbolic or aesthetic behavior.
- Wear marks suggest Neanderthals made ocher crayons Ars Technica
- 42,000-year-old ochre crayons reveal Neanderthals engaged in symbolic behavior Archaeology News Online Magazine
- Neanderthals used ‘crayons’ to color Popular Science
- Prehistoric crayons provide clues to how Neanderthals created art New Scientist
- Ancient ochre crayons from Crimea reveal Neanderthals engaged in symbolic behaviors Phys.org
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