I'm pleased I can buy my paper from the shop.
Papyrus was long cultivated in the Nile delta region in Egypt, where it occurs naturally. To make papyrus paper, the pith of C. papyrus was sliced into strips, soaked in water, and laid side by side. Another set of strips was laid on top of the first layer at a 90-degree angle to it, forming the characteristic cross-hatched pattern of true papyrus paper. Weights were placed on top so the fluids pressed out of the cut-open pith could act as a glue along with the added water. When dry, the sheets of the newly formed paper were made into rolls about 20 to 30 feet long and rubbed with ivory or shells to smooth the edges and create a finish. In addition to using the pith to make paper, the boiled rhizome and stems were edible; the woody, aromatic rhizomes were dried and used for fuel; and the stems were woven into sandals and mats, wreaths for the head, and rope.
