What materials were used for early bowling lane surfaces in Europe?

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bowling Tommy Jones competing in the Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions final in Uncasville, Conn., April 1, 2007.

Early bowling lanes in Europe were constructed from a variety of materials depending on the setting and era. Initially, outdoor playing surfaces were typically made of cinders or clay that had been specially treated and sun-baked until they reached a hardness similar to concrete.1

As the game moved indoors or into covered sheds—known as Kegelbahns—the materials used for the lanes expanded to include wood, hardened clay, and, in later years, asphalt. These developments allowed the sport to transition from an outdoor activity into an all-weather game.1