What is Papyrus?

Papyrus Egypt is an aquatic plant that has woody and triangular stems. It can reach a height of 4.6 meters (approximately 15 feet) in calm, gently moving water that is up to 90 cm (3 feet) deep. The stem, which is triangular, can expand to a width of up to 6 cm.

Papyrus was first used in ancient Egypt during the reign of the first dynasty. It is a material like thick paper which was used for writing purposes. It was first written in Egypt. There was plenty in the Nile Delta. Apart from writing purposes, Papyrus was used in different artifacts such as sandals, reed boats, and mats. It was used extensively in the Mediterranean region and the Roman Empire.

Because the papyrus plant was previously widely distributed throughout the Nile Delta, papyrus was originally known to have been used in Egypt (at least as far back as the originally Dynasty). Throughout the Mediterranean region, it was also in use. In addition to using it as writing material, the ancient Egyptians made reed boats, mats, rope, sandals, and baskets out of papyrus.

Papyrus aquatic plant.

How is Papyrus made?

Papyrus Egypt was made from the pith of papyrus plant in Nile Delta. It was collected for its stem whose pith was cut into stripes after peeling the stem’s outer green part, then soaking the stripes in water for several days, after that the stripes were pressed together and at last dried to form a thin writing surface.

How Papyrus made.

History of Papyrus Egypt

Egypt began producing papyrus as early as the third millennium BCE. The earliest papyrus archaeological remains were discovered during excavations conducted at Wadi al-Jarf, an ancient Egyptian harbor on the Red Sea coast, in 2012 and 2013. These records, the Diary of Merer, span the end of King Khufu reign, approximately from 2560 to 2550 BCE. The final years of construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza are chronicled in the papyrus rolls.

In Europe, parchment—a writing surface made of animal skins—became more and more popular, gradually surpassing papyrus. The most significant books were produced in parchment by the start of the fourth century A.D., and works that were valuable enough to preserve were moved from papyrus to parchment. Compared to papyrus, parchment was far more durable in damp environments and better suited for writing on both sides of the sheet.

Papyrus’s primary benefit has always been its less expensive raw material; in an ideal climate, it is a simple plant to grow and yields more writing material than animal hides (the most expensive books, created from fetal vellum, would require up to dozens of bovine fetuses to make). But when trade networks weakened, papyrus became harder to come by outside of the papyrus plant’s native habitat, losing its cost advantage.

Papyrus Egypt

Delta papyrus factory

Feel like ancient Egyptian workers create hand-made souvenirs for you. Delta Papyrus Egypt Factory is a group of workshops that use the same techniques and methods in making papyrus souvenirs. There are many tours to these workshops and allow tourists to know the steps of making Papyrus.

Papyrus meaning in Egypt

The word “papyrus” is a Greek word derived from the ancient Egyptian word ‘pa-per-aa’ and this means the “Great House.” Nowadays, the word “papyrus” is equivalent to “paper.

What was Papyrus used for in ancient Egypt?

Egypt Papyrus was mainly used in writing. Paper made from Papyrus was chief writing material in ancient Egypt. It also was used for production of books in a scroll or roll form. In addition, Papyrus was used to make sails, cords, cloths, mats, and other artifacts. It was used in basketry and reed boots.

Is Papyrus Egypt still used today?

Today, Papyrus Egypt is used in creating art pieces like sculpture or canvas paintings by modern artists and calligraphers as Papyrus’s texture is unique in adding marvelous details without destroying the origin work. It adds the best touch to old objects the thing that makes that thing acquire a new life.

People live in the vicinity of swamps are still using Papyrus. Almost 75% of the rural householders’ income is derived from Papyrus.