Cyperus Papyrus is a royal crop that grows mainly in the marshy areas of the Nile Delta. The plant forms papyrus forests with tops that can reach heights of five to six metres. Processing papyrus into paper requires knowledge and skill, which the Egyptians have passed down from generation to generation since the origins of their country. After harvesting, the outer green bark is removed and chopped into the desired paper size. Papyrus makers cut the pith of the plant into fine strips that are flattened with a hammer. Soaking the strips in cold water for three days makes them soft and flexible. They are then dried and laid on top of each other in two layers – horizontally and vertically – with the sticky plant sap acting as a binding agent. The resulting sheet is placed between two pieces of cardboard in a hand press so that the cardboard can absorb the moisture from the papyrus. Finally, the surface is treated with a kind of glue to polish it smooth and prevent the ink from running.
