The ink's been dry for 160 million years—but scientists have for the first time confirmed pigment in two fossilized ink sacs from cuttlefish-like animals, a new study says.

The oldest fossilized pigment ever found has been discovered inside the preserved ink sacs of an ancient cuttlefish ancestor. The ink sacs belonged to a cephalopod, the group that includes squid ...

These pigments give ink bright, vivid colors, but over time they may break down into carcinogens. The pigments in many tattoo inks are made up of synthetic molecules. Amy Harris/Invision/AP.