How to Make Egyptian Papyrus

Handmade Papyrus

Egyptian papyrus is made from a plant that grows in Nile Delta in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians developed a way to make paper as long as 5,000 years ago. The English word, "paper," is derived from the Egyptian word, "papyrus." Making Egyptian papyrus is relatively simple as long as you have a plant with which to work. Papyrus kits are also available.

Things You'll Need

• Papyrus plant (can be grown at home)
• Large, shallow pans
• Water
• Large space such as floor or table to dry the papyrus
• Heavy club
• Smooth rubbing tool

Instructions

Making Egyptian Papyrus

1. 

   Peel the outer fibers of a freshly harvested papyrus plant. Slice the core of the stalk in very thin, yet broad strips. The outer fibers are not equal in quality to the core fibers.

2. 

   Soak the strips from the core in water. This removes any sugar that is a natural content in papyrus plants. Soak until the fibers release the sugar. The water will be milky.

3. 

   Pound the strips and drain away the water. Pounding flattens the fibers, evening them out and preparing the stalks for the drying process.

4. 

   Lay the pounded papyrus sheets side-by-side and barely overlapping. Place a second layer of papyrus sheets over the first, at right angles to the first layer.

5. 

   Pound the layered sheets again. Weight the sheets and dry for about a week. The sheets will bond by the action of the remaining sugar in the sheets. To write like an ancient Egyptian, write only on one side of the sheet and write with the grain horizontal.

Tips & Warnings

• If papyrus plants are not available, use any river reeds that have thick stalks. Once the sheets are dried and bonded, rub with a smooth utensil to polish the papyrus.

Resources

• Egyptian Papyrus
• How Papyrus Is Made