> The word "paper" derives from which Ancient Greek word?And the answer: papyrus. Photo credit: North Wind Picture ArchivesThe papyrus is a tall aquatic plant,native to the Nile River valley in Egypt. In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome,tissue from the papyrus plant was cut into thin strips, pressed together, anddried to form a smooth thin writing surface.The introduction of papyrus into the world was revolutionary. For centuries,scribes and other writers across the globe practiced on parchment or vellum, awriting material made out of specially prepared untanned animal skins. Thisancient practice was proven and effective, but expensive and often available inlimited supply. The Chinese practiced on silk or bamboo, but ran into similarproblems, as silk was costly and bamboo too heavy. Upon its invention as awriting material, word of papyrus quickly spread around Europe and down the SilkRoad. It soon became the preferred method. Papyrus' light but durable structure made it ideal for long-distancecommunication and long-term storage. The Egyptians soon took to mastering themethod of production, with special care to waste none. It became the surfaceupon which hymns, official documents, love poems, medical records, spiritualadmonitions and most other documents were transcribed. Photo credit: Gardening Know HowDid you know?The papyrus plant had many other uses in Ancient Egypt. Before paper, ancientEgyptians used it to make many other essential items such as baskets, sandals,rope, blankets, mattresses, medicine, perfume, food, and even clothes. It's nowonder papyrus was known as a "gift of the Nile"!