According to Genesis 6:14, Noah was told to waterproof the Ark with pitch.
The verse describes the Ark as being made from gopher wood and coated with pitch inside and out. Pitch is a waterproofing substance traditionally associated with bitumen, asphalt-like material, or another resinous coating. Its purpose was to seal gaps and keep water from entering the vessel.
The exact identity of “gopher wood” is uncertain, but pitch is a separate instruction and is clearly connected with waterproofing. Some translations use words such as bitumen, tar, or resin, reflecting uncertainty about the ancient Hebrew term rather than a different event.
Pitch was widely used in the ancient Near East for waterproofing boats and buildings. The Bible also uses related waterproofing imagery in the story of Moses, whose basket was coated with bitumen and pitch. Thus, the Ark’s coating fits a broader ancient practice rather than being a uniquely modern construction material.