In the story of Babel, the people settled in the land of Shinar and sought to build a city and a tower to make a name for themselves. Lacking stone, they turned to bricks and used raw-bitumen, or asphalt, as mortar. This tar, prevalent in southern Mesopotamia, appealed to them for its waterproofing qualities, reminiscent of its use on the ark. Nimrod likely leveraged this characteristic to convince the people to settle there, promising a water-impervious structure akin to an ark, ensuring safety from another flood. Additionally, bitumen served as a glue to hold bricks together, especially when slow-cooked to produce a stickier, more durable mortar. The Greek word for bitumen, asphaltos, meaning "not able to make fall," suggested invulnerability, fueling the Babel-folk's belief that their brick and pitch city and tower would render them unconquerable. However, asphalt's compressibility limited the tower's height, as it could not bear the weight of bricks ascending high into the sky, undermining their dream of permanence. Despite their aspirations, the materials proved inferior, and their project ultimately failed to endure as they had hoped.

In the construction of the tower and city at Babel, as described in Genesis 11:3, the people used brick, which they manufactured themselves, instead of the stone provided by God. They also employed bitumen, referred to as asphalt, for mortar. This choice of materials reveals an inherent weakness in their endeavor, as asphalt is not ideal for such use. God highlights this flaw, indicating that what they were building was not destined to endure. Unlike the eternal nature of God's creations, symbolized by stone, the man-made bricks and asphalt mortar of Babylon represent a temporary and flawed human effort, underscoring the impermanence and ultimate failure of their rebellious project against God's will.

In the founding of Babylon, as recorded in Genesis 11, the people sought to build a city and a tower to make a name for themselves. They used brick for stone and asphalt for mortar, showcasing their determination to display their technological prowess. This choice of materials, involving manufacturing processes, highlighted their intent to establish their own achievements apart from God's guidance. Their use of asphalt as mortar symbolized a foundation built on human effort and innovation, setting a course for Babylon's future in opposition to divine purpose.