Was ink or ink block used in ancient times? How to use ink block?

The ancients used ink blocks or ink sticks together with inkstones. Ink is specially made by grinding powder on an inkstone and then adding water. As the saying goes, Four Treasures of the Study is a pen and ink.

Ink stone, pen, ink and paper are the traditional Four Treasures of the Study in China, and they are the necessary tools for China's calligraphy. The inkstone is not only the stationery of the study, but also a rare collection of literati in past dynasties because of its solid nature and immortality. The materials of inkstone are rich and varied. Besides Duanyan, Rolling Stone, Taoheshi, Chengnishi, Xugong, Yishui, Songshi, Kistler and Jushi, there are dozens of kinds of jade inkstones, jade miscellaneous stone inkstones, tile inkstones, lacquer sand inkstones, iron inkstones and porcelain inkstones.