Egypt the melting pot for
different cultures formed throughout its long history; has in
particular an irresistible gleam for its ancient land and
civilization.
Despite all the changes it came through, Egypt’s history has not
being sub-merged as around every corner in Cairo and the ancient
sites throughout the country there are constant reminders of the
significant contributions made by the ancestors of each
civilization.
Egypt added to the history and one of the eternal means that
transmitted these additions through long centuries is the holly
plant known as Papyrus that the Ancient Egyptians used to record
their valuable information, victories and glories.
This plant was holly and sacred to the Ancient Egyptian because of
two main reasons:
A - The stem of the plant has a triangular shape like a
pyramid which was a symbol of eternity.
B - The flower of
the plant looks like the rays of the sun which is the symbol of Ra’
the sun God.
Here is a little about the process of turning the Papyrus plant into
paper:
1. The Papyrus paper is made of papyrus plant; its first use
is believed to be on 4000 B.C. This plant grew along the Nile banks
and reached high from 4 to 5 meters.
2. We use only the stem for making a papyrus paper, and cut
it into pieces according to the size we require.
3. We remove the green cover that is very strong, and the
Ancient Egyptian used for making baskets, sandals, chairs, small
boats….etc.
4. For making the papyrus paper we only use the inner part
and divide it into thin slices which are so weak and could be broken
easily, accordingly we hummer them to be more flexible; and then use
the roll to make it more flat. Then we put the slices in the water
for six days to reduce the amount of the sugar in it, then bring two
pieces of cotton and arrange the slices in vertical and horizontal
lines to put them under the press for another six days. The Ancient
Egyptian had not a modern press so they used two big stones, and
finally we get a very strong and flexible Papyrus Sheet.
We have two kinds of papyrus, white one and brown one as this
depends on how long it has been inside in water.
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