A dark, sticky substance found naturally or made from petroleum that is used to pave roads and waterproof buildings.
From Latin 'bitumen,' which came from an unknown origin, possibly from an ancient Middle Eastern language. The word entered English through French in the 14th century and has been used to describe this naturally occurring or refined tar-like material throughout history.
Bitumen is basically the ancient equivalent of modern asphalt—Roman soldiers marched on roads stabilized with it, and archaeologists have found bitumen used to waterproof ships and seal buildings dating back 5,000 years!
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