What is considered the oldest drawing material?

Charcoal is considered the oldest drawing material due to its historical use in prehistoric art. Early humans used charred wood, or charcoal, to create drawings on cave walls, which can be traced back to prehistoric times, around 30,000 years ago. The simplicity and accessibility of charcoal made it a favored medium for early artists, allowing them to express themselves through mark-making on various surfaces. Its ability to create a range of tones and textures also contributed to its lasting significance in the history of art.

In contrast, pencil lead, ink, and pastel all emerged much later in the timeline of art materials. Pencil lead, for example, became widely used only after the development of the modern pencil in the 16th century. Ink has its own long history, but it was not utilized for drawing in the same way as charcoal until more advanced techniques evolved. Pastels became popular in the late 18th century, further establishing charcoal as the oldest and most historically significant drawing medium.