Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), papyrus sedge, paper reed, Indian matting plant, or Nile grass, is an aquatic flowering plant native to Africa. A member of the sedge family, papyrus is ubiquitous in the daily lives of the ancients. It's been used as paper since c. 3000 BCE.
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From papyrus comes one of the first known types of paper. Papyrus grows in abundance on sunny river shores and marshes, forming tall stands of bushy reeds. It likes slightly alkaline waters. Papyrus grows in fresh water unlike its bracken-loving relative, Chantaburi.
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Descriptions of the Egyptian paradise Aaru include islands of papyrus. Aaru also means 'papyrus'. The stalk is light with spongy pith or inner stem. Papyrus stalks bound together are used to make river boats and homes. Boats are caulked with bitumen for waterproofing.
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On wood vessels and stone constructions, papyrus is carved on prows and pillars. Parts of papyrus are edible. Like water lilies the papyrus plant grows from tough thick rhizomes underground, spreading easily in nutritious riverbed soil.
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As language evolves papyrus paper is readily available in Egypt and beloved by Greeks, who trade at the Phoenician at Byblos on the Levant coast. Byblos comes to mean papyrus in Greek. The bible is refered to as the 'book of byblos'.
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Papyrus paper has drawbacks. If not kept at certain temperature and humidity levels it's vulnerable to mold or brittleness. Still, it's light and easy to transport, and various colors of ink can be used. Standard colors of the Egyptian scribes are black, white and red.
The Egyptian goddess of scribes is Seshat. She's the daughter of Thoth, the Egyptian scribe god. Seshat wears a leopard skin dress and carries her stylus and palm staff. She's also called "Mistress of Builders" and "Mistress of the House of Books".
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The identity of the plant growing out of her head is not known. It gives her the epithet "Seven-Horned." Due to the wealth of papyrus in the Nile delta in the glory days of ancient Egypt, early travelers call the Mediterranean the "Green Sea" when sailing north on the Nile.
Papyrus also grows in swampy parts of Africa and rain forests. It's recommended as a pond plant in gardens. The big papyrus heads are preferred nesting sites by such birds as the papyrus canary.
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The pith or inner stem can be cooked and is sweet enough to eat fresh. The big woody rhizomes can be extracted for fuel or to make bowls and other tools or housewares. Ashes of the reed can be applied to mouth ulcers to stop them from spreading.
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Boats of papyrus are depicted on wall paintings and reliefs. Images show people cutting the reeds and binding them. Such vessels are still made in southern Sudan. Pieces of stem are used by fishmen as floats.
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Other uses for papyrus include baskets and blankets. As incense it has an aromatic woody scent, earthy and spicy. To make paper, papyrus reeds are cut, soaked, carefully worked into sheets and allowed to dry. The reed is so popular it almost goes extinct.
Parts of soft papyrus are used as tampons in early Egypt, as described by the Papyrus Ebers of c. 1500. Also known as Ebers Papyrus, they're a collection of medical knowledge and treatment advice.
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The flowering heads of the plant are used to make garlands in offering to the Gods. Considered a gift of the Nile, papyrus is essential not only to daily life but the post-life beliefs of the Egyptians and the paradise Aaru.
Papyrus and its close relatives are rare today in the Nile Delta of Egypt, where once they're plentiful. Papyrus is more common in other Nile countries such as Uganda.
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Overall the papyrus plant is described as "Least Concern" by environmental agencies. Although papyrus is almost extinct by the mid-twentieth century, it has been "re-discovered" and is now cultivated with success.
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