Egyptian Papyrus Paper

The inner core of the stems was freed of the shell and cut in long strips. The strips were then placed in water to induce fermentation. Then the first layer of wet strips was placed on a hard surface and a next layer in a certain angle on top of it. Then both layers were rolled and pressed together.

When the layers stick together, the raw papyrus was dried in the sun applying pressure. The last stage of making Egyptian papyrus was to remove the odd solid bit or sliver with a special polishing tool.

• 5000 BCE - Sumerians write on clay tablets that are then dried in the sun.


• 3500 BCE - Egyptians develop the skills of making papyrus.


• 1600 BCE - Ancient Chinese use thin bamboo strips to make important notes.


• 200 BCE - Parchment is used in ancient Greek city Pergamum. It is a thin material made from calfskin. In some countries it is called pergament or pergamentum in honour of Pergamum city.


• 100 CE - Chinese learn to make paper... a proper paper from wood pulp.

Well, let's see... Egyptian papyrus is a nice material, there certainly should be interesting ways to use it:

• Love letters... say it in an Egyptian way


• Wedding invitations, birthday invitations, you get my drift


• Props for amateur and professional theatres


• Art, painting, creating. You can create marvellous Egyptian-like pictures

Did you know that you can use ink, permanent markers and gold/silver gel pens to paint or write on Egyptian papyrus. The possibilities are endless!

Although when you say papyrus, you always associate it with all things Egyptian and the famous Cyperus plant, there are other ways to produce a similar product from both synthetic and natural materials. Nowadays the cheapest and most widely available material for making replicas of ancient scrolls is banana plant. Many parts of the banana contain fibres - leaves and stems.

There are papyrus wallpapers available and majority of them are made from synthetic materials that look like natural ones. That's not a great idea - the less synthetic stuff you use, the greener you live :)

Actually papyrus-like stuff can be made using almost any fibrous material.

Now with different educational toys and kits widely available, everyone can make his own stuff. There are make your own papyrus kits available from different stores. They come with full instructions, raw material and basic tools. It is very exciting to replicate this ancient Egyptian technology that is more than 5000 years old. The best thing is that everyone can now do it from home.