Papyrus is made from the Cyperus papyrus plant which grows
well in the Nile's fresh water. It grows in water up to about a meter deep
and can reach four and sometimes nearly five meters in height. The stem
at its broadest can be fifteen centimeters across. The stems of the Cyperus
papyrus plant are triangular in shape which helps to give it the strength
to withstand high winds without breaking. The ancient Egyptians started
making paper from the papyrus plant over five thousand years ago and became
one of Egypt's major exports. The modern word "paper" originates
from the word "papyrus".
Egyptian rulers realizing the importance of Papyrus, made its production
a state monopoly, and guarded the secret of Papyrus jealously. The ancient
Egyptians appeared to have used papyrus in so many ways. We know they
made paper from papyrus but they also used it to make sandals, wove it
into mats, baskets and fencing, made rope and also used parts of the plant
for food as well as a medicine. The reeds were bundled together to make
boats and dried to make fuel for fires. There are undoubtedly other uses
that the ancient Egyptians found for papyrus.
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