Papyruskääröt

Papyruskääröt, often translated as papyrus scrolls, were the primary medium for writing in ancient Egypt and the wider Hellenistic world for a significant period. These scrolls were made from the papyrus plant, Cyperus papyrus, which grew abundantly in the Nile Delta. The pith of the plant's stem was extracted, cut into thin strips, and then laid side-by-side in two layers, one horizontal and one vertical. The layers were pressed together, often with water from the Nile, which contained natural adhesives, causing the strips to bond. The resulting sheet was then dried, smoothed, and cut to size.

Scribes would typically write on the inner side of the papyrus, known as the recto, which offered a smoother surface. If more space was needed, the verso, the outer side, could also be used. Ink was made from soot or charcoal mixed with a binder like gum arabic. Writing was done with a reed pen, sharpened to a point. For longer texts, multiple sheets of papyrus were glued together to form a continuous scroll, which could be several meters long. These scrolls were then rolled up for storage and transport.

Papyruskääröt served a multitude of purposes. They were used for religious texts, administrative documents, literary works, scientific treatises, legal records, and personal correspondence. The discovery of numerous papyrus fragments and scrolls in ancient Egyptian tombs and settlements has provided invaluable insights into the history, culture, religion, and daily life of these ancient civilizations. The preservation of papyrus is often attributed to the dry climate of Egypt.