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PAPYRUS

Papyrus is a reed which grew abundantly along the banks of the Nile in Lower Egypt and, in fact, became the symbol for Ancient Lower Egypt. When looking at a cross section of the papyrus reed, it appears to be triangular in shape.

As the papyrus sheet dried, it became a substantial piece of paper for writing and painting.

The oldest known books today are in the form of papyrus rolls. As mentioned, the papyrus had other uses as well. It was used for mattresses on beds, for building chairs, tables, and other furniture as well as for boats.