Bitumen is a material obtained by fractional distillation of crude petroleum as an end product.
According to IS: 334-1951, bitumen is a non-crystalline solid or viscous material having adhesive properties,
derived from petroleum either by natural or refinery process.
During this process, smaller amounts of crude oil like kerosene, fuel oil, spirit and lubricating oil evaporate.

Bituminous materials were used for the construction of roads, preserving timber and for waterproofing stone walls.
Nowadays, they are extensively used for surfacing of road and airport pavements.