Bitumen (Asphalt, Asfalt), has a long history that dates back thousands of years. The earliest known use of bitumen was by Neanderthals, they used bitumen to adhere stone tools to wooden or ivory handles around 40,000 years ago. In ancient Mesopotamia, asphalt was used for construction and waterproofing reed boats. The ancient Egyptians incorporated bitumen into their mummification techniques. Its waterproofing ability made it perfect for preserving corpses. Bitumen was used by ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians and Babylonians, for waterproofing and as a binding agent in construction. The famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon are believed to have used bitumen for waterproofing. Bitumen provided durability and waterproofing. It was also employed in the construction of the pyramids to hold the stones in place. Romans used asphalt for road construction, waterproofing and construction. the Greeks used bitumen as a weapon, igniting barrels of pitch and hurling them at enemy ships. The first recorded use of bitumen on roads was in the early 19th century in France. Using Bitumen or Asphalt in modern industries started after petroleum was discovered and reached its peak in the 2nd half of the 20th century. The 20th century marked the widespread adoption of bitumen in road construction globally. Advances in technology have improved the quality and efficiency of bitumen production and application and Bitumen primarily used in road construction, roofing, flooring materials, and various waterproofing products today. Bitumen is still a key material in today’s infrastructure, especially when it comes to building roads, roofing, flooring and waterproofing.
Bitumen is indeed mentioned in several holy texts. For example, insulation of Noah’s Ark, or the event of Mosses being put in the water in a cradle insulated by BITUMEN, also the construction of the Babylon Tower are the cases mentioned in the holly books. In Ancient Texts Bitumen was widely used in ancient Mesopotamia for waterproofing boats and buildings