Bitumen is a thick, sticky, black substance that is non-crystalline and soluble in carbon disulfide (CS₂).

Ancient Sumerians were the first civilization which started using bitumen in 4000 BC, they used it for different purposes such as sealing their boats and waterproofing towers and construction of buildings (e.g., The Darius Palace in Susa tower of Babel in Babylon) it was also exceptionally used for roadway coating (e.g., .the processional way of Babylon). However, there are claims that bitumen was in use even 5,000 years ago and before the Sumerians.

The Egyptians and Babylonians also used bitumen after them. The ancient Egyptians used bitumen for various purposes, including sealing and mulching the bodies. The origins of the word “mummy” are the Persian word "موم"  (moom) which has been transformed into English (mummy). This used method, for immortalizing human’s bodies, was widespread and popular in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians mummified the masses in a variety of ways using a material that was mostly made of bitumen.

The needed bitumen for mummification was provided from the traditional bitumen mines in those areas. Recent archaeological studies on bitumen consumed in Egyptian mummies indicate that they obtained their bitumen either from the mountain bitumen mines (Zeit) near the Suez Canal or from nearby mines They would win.

Several Roman writers such as Diodorus Siculus (first century BC) and Pliny (first century AD) mention bitumen as being sold to Egyptians for embalming processes.

Bitumen trade in Mesopotamia continued well after the end of the Bronze Age. Russian archaeologists recently discovered a Greek amphora full of bitumen on the Taman peninsula on the northern shore of the Black Sea. Several samples including numerous large jars and other objects were recovered from the Roman-era port of Dibba in the United Arab Emirates, containing or treated with bitumen from the Hit seepage in Iraq or other unidentified Iranian sources.