Type of mineral pitch used for mortar and waterproofing, similar to asphalt called bitumen judaicum. 2. Natural pitchy substance similar to tar consisting mostly of hydrocarbons varying in color and hardness, which melts when heated and sets hard. When it is mixed (either naturally occurring or artificially) with limestone, shale, etc., it is called rock asphalt and has been used for road-surfacing from the late 18th c. (Curl & Wilson, 2016)
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