How long has asphalt been used as a building material?
A. Asphalt has been around long before anyone was writing history books. It is found naturally in asphalt lakes and asphalt rocks. The word “asphalt” comes from the Greek “asphaltos,” meaning “secure.” In ancient times, it was used as a sealer for ships. The Mesopotamian’s used it to waterproof temple baths and water tanks. In the days of the Pharaohs, Egyptians used the material as mortar for rocks laid along the banks of the Nile to prevent erosion, and the infant Moses’ basket was waterproofed with asphalt. In 625 B.C., asphalt was used to make a road in Babylon. The Romans used it to waterproof their aqueducts. Even today, asphalt is still being used to line water reservoirs in Western North America.
