Did you know that while writing itself predates Egyptian civilization, the materials we often associate with writing—like paper and ink—got their start in ancient Egypt? Instead of paper, the Egyptians invented papyrus, made from the papyrus reeds that grew along the Nile River.

Creating papyrus was like an intriguing process. Imagine taking the stem of a papyrus reed and slicing it into thin strips. These strips were then soaked to soften them up, arranged in crisscrossing layers, and compressed through hammering, rolling, or pressing. This technique bonded the layers into a single sheet, which was durable for writing.

Egypt’s dry climate played a crucial role in preserving these papyrus documents for thousands of years. This incredible durability meant that important records, stories, and communications could be kept safe for future generations. The invention of papyrus not only revolutionized record-keeping and communication in ancient Egypt but also laid the foundation for the future of writing and information sharing.