The Archaeology and History of Bitumen (2019)

It's interesting that the article doesn't mention the use of bitumen in early photography and photoengraving.

Bitumen hardens preferentially in areas that have been exposed to light.

The very first photographs ever made were done on bitumen-coated plates.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_from_the_Window_at_Le_Gra...

"Faster" coatings were soon developed for camera use, but bitumen continued to be used to make photographically-reproduced printing plates for quite a long time (in that application, a long exposure time is not as critical, and may even be advantageous).

Prof Iain Stewart had a documentary called Planet Oil back in 2015 that had a long section on the history and development of hydrocarbons.

I can see that iPlayer only has clips: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p048dpqp

But DocuWiki has a bit more information: https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Planet_Oil

Carpinteria on the California coast was a bitumen source used for waterproofing canoes. Much of Hwy 1 through Santa Barbara county was paved with asphalt from Carpinteria.

Love Bitumen, use it for stopping rising damp in stonework, sealing cut timbers and for general proofing of stuff.

Plus its cheaper than using a wood treatment and does the same job really with the benefit of being waterproof.