Cyperus papyrus

papyrus

Papyrus is best known as the notable ancient paper source in Egypt and surrounding countries. It was in use by 3100 BC, when we see hieroglyphic evidence, and it was certainly a major development for civilization. To have a widely available, relatively inexpensive and easy-to-make material to write on made it possible to record information and develop literature and science much more rapidly than before. Papyrus paper replaced much more cumbersome and/or expensive writing substrates like wood, metal, clay, and stone. Much of the history we have regarding the ancient world is recorded on papyrus. Egyptian papyrus was the major writing material for the ancient Greeks and it was sold throughout the Roman Empire. Egyptians carefully guarded their paper production process, and so kept a monopoly of the trade for many centuries. Papyrus eventually lost its dominant place as writing substrate of choice to parchment (more durable) in the second century AD and linen in the eighth century AD. The first few minutes of the following video demonstrate how papyrus paper was made:

The buoyant stems of papyrus were made into boats by Egyptians, which can be seen in bas-relief works from about 2500BC. Reed boats are still made today in Sudan and on Lake Titicaca in Peru by the Urus people. The reed basket in which Moses was set adrift was likely made of papyrus. Although primarily used for local transport, in 1969-70 Thor Heyerdahl made two boats from papyrus (Ra and Ra II) based on drawings and models from ancient Egypt to attempt to prove it could have been possible for people from Africa or the Mediterranean to reach the New World in ancient times. Ra came just short of its destination but Ra II made it all the way from Morocco to Barbados. Here's some good footage of Ra II in action:

The interior of young stems of papyrus were eaten raw or combined into other recipes. The starchy underground rhizomes were also cooked and eaten. The fire made to cook the rhizomes may have very well been made of papyrus as well, since all parts of the plant could be used as firewood, which was not exactly plentiful in Egypt. While both peasants and wealthy Egyptians owned and used objects made from papyrus, the use of papyrus (especially the roots) for food was more common amongst peasants.

The flowering heads of the plant were woven together by Egyptians to make garlands for their gods out of gratitude.

Other uses for papyrus have included weaving sails and cordage for use on ships. Theophrastus records King Antigonus’ use of the plant to make the rigging of his fleet. Within the home, papyrus was used to make beds, mats, walls, and doors and blinds that could be rolled up. It was also used along the caps of jars containing food or drink to make a more airtight seal.

Medicinally, ash from burned papyrus was used as a burn remedy. Dioscorides wrote in the 1^st century AD that it was effective at treating mouth ulcers.

It was a great blessing for the Egyptians to have an abundance of such a useful plant growing in their country. It was to Egyptians what bamboo is to the Chinese, and what the coconut palm is to South Pacific islanders. In addition to growing naturally, papyrus was widely cultivated. Interestingly, there is almost no more papyrus to be found in its native Egyptian habitat today.

At home in wet or extremely moist soil, Egyptian papyrus can grow quite tall. There are records of the plant growing 15 feet in Egypt by Pliny the Elder early in the first century AD. Our plants here at the Gardens grow to about 7 feet tall.