The pre-historic people in southwestern Iran were the first to use oil derivatives, notes an Iranian researcher.

Writing in the latest issue of quarterly Asar, Mohammad Reza Zahedi said use of oil derivatives, in particular tar and asphalt, in the Near East goes back to pre-historic times.

People living southwest of the Iranian plateau used natural tar found in abundance in the area since Neolithic era for various purposes, including plastering utensils, room floor and walls, he remarked. “Natural tar was a unique material used even for medical purposes, such as treating many infectious diseases and rheumatoid pain,” Zahedi pointed out.

The material found wide application during the Elamite period. It was mingled with sand, minerals and plants to yield a highly pliable stuff, used to make a variety of objects like utensils, beads, ornamentals and others.