Based on ancient practices, one method of creating a writing surface "back then" involved using the papyrus plant. This differs from modern paper made from wood pulp.
Crafting Papyrus: An Ancient Technique
The process of making papyrus was a detailed craft developed in ancient Egypt, relying entirely on the readily available papyrus plant. It wasn't "paper" as we know it today, but rather a forerunner material used for writing and drawing for thousands of years.
Here's a breakdown of the key steps involved, as described in historical accounts:
- Preparation: The tall stems of the papyrus plant were harvested.
- Slicing: The inner pith of the stems was carefully sliced lengthwise into thin strips.
- Layering (First Layer): These strips were then laid side-by-side on a flat surface, often overlapping slightly, to form a single layer.
- Layering (Second Layer): A second layer of strips was placed on top, perpendicular to the first layer. This cross-hatching created strength and structure.
- Bonding: The two layers were then pounded together into a laminate. This pounding, combined with the plant's natural sap, helped fuse the strips into a single sheet as they dried.
- Finishing: The finished sheets were dried under pressure, trimmed, and often polished to create a smoother writing surface.
Step-by-Step Papyrus Creation
The core method can be visualized in these simple steps:
Step | Action | Result |
---|---|---|
1. Slice | Cut papyrus pith lengthwise into thin strips. | Long, flexible strips of plant fiber |
2. Layer 1 | Lay strips side-by-side. | Base layer of the sheet |
3. Layer 2 | Place a second layer perpendicular on top. | Cross-hatched structure |
4. Pound | Beat the layers together firmly. | Fusion of layers into a laminate |
5. Dry/Finish | Dry under pressure, trim, and polish. | Usable writing sheet |
This technique created sheets that were relatively durable and flexible, making papyrus the dominant writing material in the ancient Mediterranean world for centuries.
Other Ancient Writing Materials: Parchment
While papyrus was made from a plant, another significant ancient writing material was parchment. Parchment is made from animal skins (typically sheep, goats, or calves) that are carefully prepared through cleaning, stretching, and drying processes.
Parchment was named for the Greek city of Pergamum and was invented in the second century BCE. It offered advantages like durability and the ability to be written on both sides, eventually becoming the preferred material for books (codices) in the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, as it was less brittle than papyrus.
So, "back then," people used materials like papyrus made from plants through layering and pounding, or parchment made from treated animal skins.