HISTORY AND TERMINOLOGY OF CRUDE OIL 5
The origin of the word bitumen is more difficult to trace and subject to considerable speculation. The word was proposed to have
originated in the Sanskrit, where we find the words jatu, meaning pitch, and jatukrit, meaning pitch creating. From the Sanskrit,
the word jatu was incorporated into the Latin language as gwitu
and is believed to have eventually become gwitumen (pertaining
to pitch). Another word, pixturnen (exuding or bubbling pitch)
is also reputed to have been in the Latin language, although the
construction of this Latin word form from which the word bitumen was reputedly derived, is certainly suspect. There is the suggestion that subsequent derivation of the word led to a shortened
version, which eventually became the modern version, called
bitumen, thence passing via French into English. From the same
root is derived the Anglo Saxon word cwidu (mastic, adhesive),
the German work kitt (cement or mastic) and the equivalent word
kvada, which is found in the old Norse language as being descriptive of the material used to waterproof the long ships and other
sea-going vessels. It is just as likely that the word is derived from
the Celtic bethe or beithe or bedw that was the birch tree that was
used as a source of resin. The word appears in Middle English as
bithumen. In summary, a variety of terms exist in ancient language
that from their described use in texts can be proposed as meaning
bitumen or asphalt (Abraham, 1945).
Using these ancient words as a guide, it is possible to trace the
use of petroleum and its derivatives as described in ancient texts.
And, preparing derivatives of petroleum was well within the area
of expertise of the early scientists since alchemy (early chemistry)
was known to consist of four sub-routines: dissolving, melting,
combining, and distilling (Cobb and Gold white, 1995).
Early references to petroleum and its derivatives occur in the
Bible, although by the time the various books of the Bible were
written, the use of petroleum and bitumen was established and it
is apparent that bitumen and petroleum derivatives were items of
commerce. The exact prices paid are unknown and may even have
been given as a tribute to the local king. Nevertheless, in spite of
the missing monetary values, these writings do offer documented
examples of the use and trade of petroleum and related materials.
For example, in the Epic of Gilgamesh written more than 2,500
years ago, a great Flood causes the hero to build a boat that is
caulked with bitumen and pitch (see for example, Kovacs, 1990).
And, in a related story of Mesopotamia, just prior to the flood,
The origin of the word bitumen is more difficult to trace and subject to considerable speculation. The word was proposed to have
originated in the Sanskrit, where we find the words jatu, meaning pitch, and jatukrit, meaning pitch creating. From the Sanskrit,
the word jatu was incorporated into the Latin language as gwitu
and is believed to have eventually become gwitumen (pertaining
to pitch). Another word, pixturnen (exuding or bubbling pitch)
is also reputed to have been in the Latin language, although the
construction of this Latin word form from which the word bitumen was reputedly derived, is certainly suspect. There is the suggestion that subsequent derivation of the word led to a shortened
version, which eventually became the modern version, called
bitumen, thence passing via French into English. From the same
root is derived the Anglo Saxon word cwidu (mastic, adhesive),
the German work kitt (cement or mastic) and the equivalent word
kvada, which is found in the old Norse language as being descriptive of the material used to waterproof the long ships and other
sea-going vessels. It is just as likely that the word is derived from
the Celtic bethe or beithe or bedw that was the birch tree that was
used as a source of resin. The word appears in Middle English as
bithumen. In summary, a variety of terms exist in ancient language
that from their described use in texts can be proposed as meaning
bitumen or asphalt (Abraham, 1945).
Using these ancient words as a guide, it is possible to trace the
use of petroleum and its derivatives as described in ancient texts.
And, preparing derivatives of petroleum was well within the area
of expertise of the early scientists since alchemy (early chemistry)
was known to consist of four sub-routines: dissolving, melting,
combining, and distilling (Cobb and Gold white, 1995).
Early references to petroleum and its derivatives occur in the
Bible, although by the time the various books of the Bible were
written, the use of petroleum and bitumen was established and it
is apparent that bitumen and petroleum derivatives were items of
commerce. The exact prices paid are unknown and may even have
been given as a tribute to the local king. Nevertheless, in spite of
the missing monetary values, these writings do offer documented
examples of the use and trade of petroleum and related materials.
For example, in the Epic of Gilgamesh written more than 2,500
years ago, a great Flood causes the hero to build a boat that is
caulked with bitumen and pitch (see for example, Kovacs, 1990).
And, in a related story of Mesopotamia, just prior to the flood,