How Sumerians in Mesopotamia Perfected Asphalt-Like Materials 4,000 Years Ago

23 February 2026



More than 4,000 years ago, long before highways and petroleum refineries, Sumerian craftspeople in southern Mesopotamia were perfecting material formulas that mirror modern asphalt engineering.

A new study published in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports reveals that artisans at the ancient city of Abu Tbeirah followed precise, repeatable “technological recipes” when producing bitumen-based materials. Their methods—carefully balancing plant fibers, mineral powders, and controlled heating—anticipate principles that engineers still use today.

Cracking Open Ancient Black Gold

Bitumen, a natural petroleum-based substance, was indispensable in ancient Mesopotamia. It sealed boats, waterproofed baskets, glued tools, and was molded into transportable blocks for trade. But raw bitumen had problems: it could soften in heat, crack when brittle, or become too sticky to handle.

Rather than using it as-is, Sumerian craftspeople engineered it.

Researchers analyzed 59 bitumen-based samples recovered from Abu Tbeirah, a major third-millennium BCE settlement located near the famous city of Ur. Using high-resolution digital microscopy and machine-learning-assisted image processing, they examined the internal structure of the materials—without damaging the artifacts.

More:
https://arkeonews.net/how-sumerians-in-mesopotamia-perfected-asphalt-like-materials-4000-years-ago/