The chemical and theological properties of two asphalts selected from different sources (Urals, Russia; Cold Lake, Canada) were investigated. Analyses of chemical (elemental composition, fractional composition, molecular weights) and physical properties (complex viscosity, loss tangent, shear compliance) were performed on all original and aged (rolling thin film oven test, RTFOT; pressurized aging vessel, PAV) samples. The analyses of the chemical properties of both asphalts revealed higher asphaltene content, higher heteroatom content, and lower aging susceptibility of the Cold Lake asphalt (less significant changes in group composition). Based on its chemical composition, the Cold Lake asphalt was expected to perform better in the theological tests than the Urals asphalt. The theological tests confirmed this hypothesis and revealed better low- and high-temperature properties of the Cold Lake asphalt and a slower deterioration of its physical properties upon oxidative aging. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.