![]() ![]() If a sheet of papyrus has writing on both sides but in different hands, it is generally be assumed that the writing on the recto is the earliest. It was usual to write on that side of the sheet on which the fibers ran horizontally (recto) the other side (verso) was used only exceptionally. The regular format for ancient works of literature was the papyrus roll. On the other hand, the papyrus sheets were the preferred writing materials of the ancient world because they were light, strong, thin, durable, and easy to carry. The roots of the plant were also burned for fuel, and from dried papyrus mats were made, mattresses, boxes, tables and sandals. Ancient Egyptians discovered how to make paper from the stems of the plant as early as 3000 B.C.ĭespite the fact that the plant was mainly used in the production of paper, it was also a major component in the manufacturing of boats, rope and baskets. The plant is harvested in the fall, (October, November and December) after the flood season. This plant which grew to 4 or 5 meters in height survived in Egypt thanks to the dry climate. ![]() The raw material of papyrus paper comes from the plant Cyperus papyrus, a long stemmed plant that grows in damp regions of the Nile Delta in Egypt. It was even exported to many locations in the ancient world. Once the technology of papyrus making was developed, its method of production was a closely guarded secret allowing the Egyptians to have a monopoly on it as it became the lifeblood for ancient Egypt. Papyrus was very important to the ancient Egyptians as it helped transform Egyptian society in many ways. It is often claimed that Egyptians referred to papyrus as pa-per-aa, literary meaning, that which is of Pharaoh, apparently indicating that the Egyptian crown owned a monopoly on papyrus production, though no actual ancient text using this term is known. The Arabic word is Bardy or also Warak Bardy meaning Papyrus paper. The English word papyrus is derived via Latin, from the Greek, papuros. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |