Who invented tiles?

Tiles have been used by man as a paving or cladding material for thousands of years. There are examples of glazed tiles, such as the Ishtar Gate at Babylon, which survive from the 6th century B.C.

But who invented tiles, is a little difficult to pin down. Archaeologists have found bits of tiles along the River Nile dating back between 12,000 and 18,000 years.

As early as 5,000 B.C. the Egyptians were making brightly coloured tiles to decorate the interior of their pyramids. Tiles used by Arab and Moorish civilisations can still be seen today.

Before the Industrial Revolution glazed ceramic tiles were seen as a rich man's product and were reserved for palaces and sacred buildings such as churches and cathedrals. Production was labour intensive and expensive. Today that has all changed. Advances in technology in ceramic tile production have made ceramic tiles affordable for everyone.