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PAPYRUS…as the word lingers in the air it invokes the magic and mystery of Ancient Egypt.
The importance of the papyrus plant is acknowledged by the fact that it was one of the symbols of Lower Egypt.
Papyrus played a crucial role in the daily life of those times.
The Egyptians used papyrus reeds bundled together for boat making, they wove the papyrus fibers into water resistant ropes and sailcloth, they burned the roots for fuel, and from dried papyrus they made mats, mattresses, baskets, boxes, tables, sandals and utensils. Papyrus was even used as a source of food for the common people.
Egypt's greatest gift to the ancient world, however, was the fabrication of papyrus sheet, the forerunner of our present day paper. Papyrus sheets were the preferred writing materials of the ancient world because they were light, strong, thin, durable, and easy to carry. Thus, papyrus sheets share many of the advantages of modern paper, with which we are familiar.

Because of its importance, papyrus paper making was a state monopoly in Egypt and the method of its production was a closely guarded secret. Many efforts were made in various parts of the Mediterranean to find local substitute for papyrus sheets