We are not the first people to recognize the amazing properties of asphalt. It goes all the way back to 4000 B.C. when used by the Indus people for water proofing and for adhesion. The Ancient Sumerians used asphalt for an extensive number of things, including the building of walls and the sealing of ships. In the mid-1800’s modern asphalt started being used in the construction of roadways. The roads of the United States have been paved with asphalt since the 1870’s.