Egypt History of Papyrus

I. United Egypt lasted 3200 years from King Menes to the last Pharaoh, Cleopatra, who died in 27 BC.

2. When we study Egypt we look at Kingdoms, Old, Middle, New then the occupation of Egypt by Hellenistic Greeks after the conquering of forces Alexander the Great came to the area.

2. Several outside civilizations occupied Egypt and even sat on the throne as Pharaohs. The Hittites and Assyrians from the Northeast, the Nubians or Cushites from the south east, later Alexander's forces and lastly the Romans.

3. Because Egypt lasted so long we look at her systems to study success.

4. We look at her monuments such as the pyramids as a reminder that a great civilization once stood here yet also to remind us that it did not last.

5. The culture was somewhat geographically isolated and did not mix (less diluted) with other cultures.

6. Because of the geography, the philosophies, religion and general way of life, Egypt was peaceful and with a higher standard of living. People were treated with more respect than in other civilizations of the time.

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History of Papyrus Back to notes
It is believed that papyrus was first used about 4000BC, and became one of Egypt's major exports. The Egyptian rulers realizing the importance of Papyrus, made its production a state monopoly, and guarded the secret of Papyrus jealously. There was no real competitor to Papyrus until, in AD 105 in China Ts'ai Lun, a court official, invented paper. With the introduction of papermaking into Egypt, the production of Papyrus rapidly declined, and stopped. It is not until 1965 where an Egyptian scientist discovered the old lost secret of Papyrus hand-making Papyrus sheets hand-making once again became an important Egyptian craft, and the Egyptian artists found in it a perfect material on which to record the marvelous paintings of the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs.
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