Papyrus was a weed that grew wildly along the banks of the Nile River. It grew about 10 feet high. It was used to make everything!
The ancient Egyptians used papyrus to make paper, baskets, sandals, mats, rope, blankets, tables, chairs, mattresses, medicine, perfume, food, and clothes. Truly, papyrus was an important "gift of the Nile".
They even tried to make boats out of papyrus, but that did not work very well. Papyrus absorbs water. Boats made of papyrus would become waterlogged and sink.
