The Unknown History of Asphalt
The Unknown History of Asphalt
Asphalt, the material responsible for creating those slick black driveways and roads, has a long and winding history beyond its use in current residential and highway construction. It occurs naturally in asphalt lakes and in a mixture of sand, limestone, and asphalt rock.
Believe it or not, the use of liquid asphalt dates back to 3,000 B.C., when the Sumerians first recorded its utilization. Ancient Mesopotamians used it to waterproof temple baths and water tanks, too. It’s even said that the baby Moses’ basket was waterproofed with asphalt. However, paved road surface pavements themselves didn’t begin until 312 B.C. when the Romans created a roadway network totaling more than 62,000 miles. Read More