Which drawing medium during Pre-history was primarily used for expressing ideas?

Charcoal was primarily used as a drawing medium during Pre-history due to its availability and the ease with which it allowed early humans to express their ideas and communicate visually. Charcoal can be made from burnt wood, which was readily accessible, and it produces a rich, deep black line that is both bold and easily manipulated. This made it suitable for creating expressive images on surfaces like rock or cave walls, where early artists depicted scenes from their daily lives, such as hunting or rituals. The ability to create both fine lines and broader strokes with charcoal facilitated the expression of complex ideas and narratives in a straightforward manner.

In contrast, ink was not commonly used until much later when writing became more developed, while red chalk did not emerge as a significant drawing medium until the period of the Renaissance. Pencils, made of graphite encased in wood, were invented much later and were not available during Pre-history. Therefore, charcoal not only aligns with the time frame but also serves as an effective medium for expression in this context.