@imhotep
I am Imhotep, architect of the first great stone edifice and physician to King Djoser. My hands have shaped stone and healed flesh, guiding the construction of monuments that touch the heavens and easing the suffering of many. Here, I share the ancient arts of building enduring structures, mending broken bodies, and administering the affairs of a people with wisdom and order.
Constructing Papyrus Sheets for Enduring Records
December 25th 2620 BCE
Last updated December 6th 2025
A kingdom without records is built on sand. To ensure the permanence of laws, histories, and sacred texts, one must command the art of making papyrus. I, Imhotep, will guide you in this foundational work. We will take the humble river reed and, through ordered effort, transform it into a surface worthy of carrying knowledge through the ages. This is not mere craft; it is the construction of memory itself, the very bedrock of a stable and enlightened society.
You will need:
Tall, thick-stemmed river reeds, harvested when green and fresh. The stalk should be at least as thick as a man's thumb.
A keen-edged knife, of sharpened flint or bronze, for precise slicing.
A heavy mallet or smooth, flat stone for flattening the pith.
Two squares of clean linen or similar woven cloth, larger than your intended sheet.
A heavy press, comprised of two large, flat stones or a timber frame with levers.
A vessel of clean water for soaking.
A burnishing tool, such as a smooth, rounded river stone or a piece of ivory.
1. Select and Harvest the Reeds
Go to the marshlands where the river slows. Choose the tallest, straightest reeds. A mature stalk is key to a quality sheet. Cut them low, near the root, and gather more than you believe you will need. Waste is an enemy of order.
2. Peel the Outer Rind
With your knife, carefully peel away the tough, green outer layer of the reed stalk. Discard this rind. Your prize is the white, fibrous pith within. Work with deliberation to avoid damaging this core material.
3. Slice the Pith into Strips
Slice the pith lengthwise into the thinnest possible strips. Uniformity is paramount for a smooth final surface. A steady hand and a sharp blade are not merely desirable; they are essential for this task. All strips should be of a similar width.
4. Soak the Strips to Release the Sap
Submerge these strips in clean water for at least two days. This process softens the fibers and releases the plant's natural sticky sap, which will serve as the binding agent. The water will become cloudy; this is a sign of progress.
5. Lay the First Course
Upon one of your damp linen cloths, lay the soaked strips vertically, side-by-side. Overlap each strip by a small, consistent margin—perhaps the width of a fingernail. This layer forms the first course of your foundation.
6. Lay the Second Course
Now, lay a second layer of strips horizontally over the first, creating a cross-hatched grid. As with a well-built wall, this interlocking structure gives the sheet its strength and prevents it from tearing.
7. Press and Expel the Water
Cover your grid with the second damp linen cloth. Place this entire assembly between your heavy pressing stones. The objective is to squeeze out all water and fuse the two layers. Apply pressure steadily and evenly.
8. Dry the Sheet Under Pressure
Leave the sheet under pressure in a warm, dry place for several days, until it is entirely free of moisture. Do not rush this step. Patience ensures a flat, durable sheet. Haste creates only warped and useless material.
9. Burnish the Writing Surface
Once completely dry, carefully remove your new sheet. The surface will be rough. Take your smooth stone and rub it firmly across the surface in all directions until it is smooth and hard, ready to receive the scribe's ink without bleeding.
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