History of natural graphite use thumb|Graphite plates and sheets, 10–15 cm high; mineral specimen from Kimmirut, Canada In the 4th millennium BCE, during the Neolithic Age in southeastern Europe, the Marița culture used graphite in a ceramic paint for decorating pottery.
history oF natural grapHiTe Use thumb|graphItE PlAtes and sheETs, 10–15 CM hIgh; minEral specimen frOm kimmirut, canADa In thE 4th MilLeNnIum Bce, durinG tHE NeolitHic agE in SOutHeaStern EuRope, the MariȚA CuLTUre uSEd graPhiTe in a cEramIc paiNt foR dEcorATing potterY.