Process of Papyrus Manufacturing

Papyrus stalks are harvested from along the banks of the Nile river where they grow as weed. The outer green skin is removed from the stalk. The inner pith of the plant is cut into long thin strips and these strips are pounded to break down the fibers and then soaked for 3 days until the pith is clear and pliable. The strips are cut to length and laid, overlapping, on a piece of cotton fabric. Two lawyers of strips, one horizontal and the other vertical. The sheets of material are placed betwen two hard absorbent barriers. These "sandwiches' are stacked up and placed in a press. They are squeezed an left to dry in the sun. Every 8 hours the absorbent barriers would be replaced. This process goes on for about 3 to 4 days or untill the Papyri are dry. After removal from the press the Papyri are used for painting pictures, sending correspondence or recording all kinds of events using oil or guache colors, inks, or paint in the ancient Egyptian language called "Hieroglyphic".