How Papyrus was Made | Ancient Egypt for Kids | Learning Made Fun

Mr. Bradley - Learning Made Fun

19 Jun 202105:02

Summary

TLDRIn this educational video, Mr. Bradley introduces the ancient Egyptian invention of papyrus, a paper-like material made from the papyrus plant that grew along the Nile. The script humorously explains the process of papyrus production, from harvesting the reed to weaving and drying it into a flexible and durable writing surface. Papyrus was not only used for writing hieroglyphics but also for creating various items like boats and baskets. The video provides a fascinating glimpse into the ingenuity of ancient Egyptians and the enduring legacy of papyrus.

Takeaways

📜 Papyrus was an early form of paper used by ancient Egyptians, made from the papyrus plant that grew along the Nile River.
🌱 The papyrus plant was not only used for paper but also for making boats, shoes, baskets, and other items.
✍️ Papyrus was easier to write on than stone, which was the previous material used for carving hieroglyphics.
🔍 The papyrus plant's stems were cut into strips, and the green outer part was removed to access the inner part, which was used for making papyrus.
💧 The inner part of the papyrus stem was soaked in water to remove the water content, making it more suitable for paper production.
🔨 Ancient Egyptians used a hammer to remove water from the papyrus strips, a process that has been modernized with a pressing bin.
🧪 The papyrus strips were soaked for a week to reduce the sugar content, making them sticky and able to stick together without glue or chemicals.
🌀 The strips were then weaved horizontally and vertically, creating a layered structure that would form the papyrus paper.
🔄 The weaved papyrus was left to dry and pressed for another week, a process that could be done with heavy crops in ancient times or with modern machines.
🎨 Once dried, the papyrus accepted various colors, including cold colors, water, oil, and gold without any issues.
📚 The final product, papyrus paper, was used for writing hieroglyphics and has been preserved for thousands of years, as seen in Egyptian museums.

Q & A

What was the primary material used by ancient Egyptians for writing before papyrus?
-Before the use of papyrus, ancient Egyptians primarily carved hieroglyphics into rock walls.
What is papyrus?
-Papyrus is a paper-like material that was used by the ancient Egyptians, made from the papyrus plant which grew in the River Nile.
What was the scientific name of the reed used to make papyrus?
-The reed used to make papyrus was also called 'papyrus', which is a bit of an anti-climax as it shares the same name with the material it produces.
Why did ancient Egyptians switch from using rocks to papyrus for writing?
-The ancient Egyptians switched to papyrus because it was much easier and quicker to write hieroglyphics on papyrus than carving them into rocks.
What are the other uses of the papyrus plant mentioned in the script?
-The papyrus plant was used not only for making papyrus paper but also for creating boats, shoes, baskets, and more.
What was the process of making papyrus paper from the papyrus plant?
-The process involved cutting the stems of the papyrus plant into strips, removing the water, soaking them in water to strengthen and make them flexible, and then weaving the strips horizontally and vertically to form a sheet which was left to dry.
How did the ancient Egyptians remove water from the papyrus strips?
-Ancient Egyptians removed water from the papyrus strips by beating them with a hammer, a process that was later modernized with a ruling bin.
Why did the ancient Egyptians soak the papyrus strips in water for a week?
-Soaking the papyrus strips in water for a week helped to reduce the sugar content from twenty percent to five percent, making the strips sticky and able to stick together without glues or chemicals.
How did the ancient Egyptians weave the papyrus strips to form a sheet?
-They laid some strips horizontally and some vertically, creating a grid-like pattern, and then pressed them together to form a sheet of papyrus.
What modern equipment is used in the process of making papyrus as shown in the script?
-A modern machine is used to press the woven papyrus strips together after they have been arranged in a grid pattern, replacing the heavy crops used in ancient times.
Why was papyrus a significant improvement over rock for writing hieroglyphics?
-Papyrus was lighter, more portable, and allowed for easier inscription of hieroglyphics compared to the labor-intensive process of carving on rock.
How long did the entire process of making papyrus paper take according to the script?
-The entire process took two weeks; one week for soaking in water to reduce sugar content and another week under pressure to dry.
What is the significance of the papyrus paper's ability to accept various types of colors?
-The ability of papyrus to accept various types of colors, including cold colors, water, oil, and golden colors, made it a versatile material for writing and art.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to Papyrus: Ancient Egyptian Paper Alternative

This paragraph introduces the concept of papyrus, an ancient material used as a paper substitute by Egyptians. The speaker, Mr. Bradley, humorously addresses the arduous process of carving on stone and presents papyrus as a more convenient alternative. Papyrus was made from a reed native to the Nile River, also named papyrus, which was used not only for writing but also for various other items such as boats, shoes, and baskets. The paragraph highlights the transition from stone carving to using papyrus paper for writing hieroglyphics due to its ease of use and flexibility.

🌱 The Making of Papyrus: From Plant to Paper

This section delves into the process of creating papyrus paper from the papyrus plant. The stems of the plant were cut, stripped, and the water was removed by beating them with a hammer. The inner layers, which are more suitable for making papyrus, were then soaked in water to enhance their strength and flexibility. The process involved reducing the sugar content in the papyrus strips to make them sticky and adhere to one another without the need for glue or chemicals. The ancient Egyptians weaved the strips together, both horizontally and vertically, and allowed them to dry under pressure to form a durable paper-like material that accepted various types of ink.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Papyrus

Papyrus refers to an early form of paper made from the papyrus plant, which was widely used in ancient Egypt for writing and other purposes. In the video, papyrus is the central theme, illustrating its production process and historical significance. It is mentioned as an alternative to carving hieroglyphics into rock, highlighting its ease of use compared to traditional stone tablets.

💡Hieroglyphics

Hieroglyphics are the ancient Egyptian system of writing that used pictorial symbols. The script explains that papyrus was much easier to write hieroglyphics onto compared to stone, demonstrating a significant advancement in writing materials that facilitated the spread of Egyptian culture and knowledge.

💡Papyrus Plant

The papyrus plant is a reed that grows in the Nile River and is the source material for making papyrus. The video emphasizes the versatility of the papyrus plant, which was not only used for making paper but also for creating various items like boats, shoes, and baskets. The plant's name is humorously revealed to be the same as the material it produces, akin to the fruit and color 'orange'.

💡Reed

A reed is a tall, slender plant that grows in wetlands. In the context of the video, the papyrus reed is specifically highlighted as the raw material for making papyrus paper. The script describes the reed's properties, such as its strength and flexibility, which made it ideal for various ancient Egyptian applications.

💡Ancient Egyptians

The ancient Egyptians are the civilization that is central to the video's narrative. They are credited with the cultivation of the papyrus plant and the invention of papyrus paper. The script describes their innovative use of papyrus for writing, as well as for creating various everyday items, showcasing their resourcefulness and creativity.

💡Writing Material

Writing material refers to any substance on which information can be inscribed. The video discusses the transition from using hard stones as writing surfaces to the more manageable papyrus, which was a revolutionary development in writing materials that allowed for easier inscription of hieroglyphics.

💡Stems

Stems are the structural parts of a plant that support the leaves and flowers. In the script, the stems of the papyrus plant are specifically used to create the papyrus paper. The process involves cutting the stems into strips, which are then manipulated to form the paper.

💡Weaving

Weaving is a method of textile production where two sets of yarns or strips interlace at right angles to form a fabric. The video describes the ancient Egyptian technique of weaving papyrus strips both horizontally and vertically to create a durable sheet suitable for writing.

💡Drying

Drying is the process of removing moisture from a substance. In the context of papyrus production, the script explains that after weaving the papyrus strips, the material is left to dry, which solidifies it into a paper-like form. This process is crucial for the final product's usability and longevity.

💡Museum

A museum is an institution that conserves and displays items of historical, cultural, or scientific importance. The script mentions the Egyptian museum as a place where one can see ancient papyrus artifacts that have lasted for thousands of years, underscoring the durability and historical significance of papyrus.

💡Mr. Bradley

Mr. Bradley is the presenter in the video script, who introduces the topic of papyrus and guides the viewers through its history and production process. His role is to educate and entertain, providing a light-hearted yet informative narrative about the ancient Egyptian writing material.

Highlights

Introduction of papyrus as an alternative to carving hieroglyphics into hard rock walls.

Papyrus was made from a reed that grew in the River Nile, called the papyrus plant.

The papyrus plant was used not only for paper but also for boats, shoes, baskets, and more.

Papyrus paper was easier to write on compared to carving hieroglyphics into rocks.

The process of making papyrus involves cutting the stems of the papyrus plant into strips.

The green outer part of the papyrus stem is strong and flexible, used for various purposes.

The inner part of the papyrus stem is used for making papyrus paper due to its water content.

Ancient Egyptians removed water from the papyrus strips using a hammer, a delicate and precise process.

Modern methods use a ruling bin to remove water from papyrus strips, making the process easier.

Soaking the papyrus strips in water strengthens and makes them more flexible.

Papyrus strips are soaked for a week to reduce sugar content, making them sticky and able to stick together without glue.

Ancient Egyptians wove papyrus strips horizontally and vertically to create a paper-like substance.

The weaving process includes laying strips in two layers, one horizontal and one vertical.

The color of papyrus can change over time, darkening if kept for longer periods.

Papyrus paper dries naturally without any glue, thanks to the reduced sugar content.

Papyrus accepted all kinds of colors, including cold colors, water, oil, and gold.

Papyrus was used for writing hieroglyphics and also for making various items like clothing.

The video concludes with a summary of the papyrus making process and its uses.