![]() ![]() Surviving papyri can be fragile and brittle, and generally have problems such as missing areas, tears and other examples of deterioration. In ancient Egypt the inks used for writing were very stable: the carbon black and red haematite (red ochre) aren't soluble in water and aren’t sensitive to light, so the writing can still be read clearly today. This lack of moisture also protects papyrus from being affected by microorganisms, like mould, which could consume and destroy the papyrus. Luckily, the dry Egyptian climate means that papyrus has been able to survive for thousands of years. Papyrus is mainly made of cellulose, which ages and deteriorates over time, becoming fragile and brittle as it's broken down by hydrolysis (a reaction with water) and oxidation (a reaction with oxygen). When first made, papyrus sheets would have been strong and flexible, providing a good surface for writing. The presence of water in the earth causes organic materials such as papyrus, textiles or wood, to deteriorate and rot away. These sheets can be attached together to form rolls for writing. The stem of the plant is made into sponge-like strips which are overlapped horizontally then vertically, and then pressed together to form sheets. Papyrus is made from the Cyperus papyrus plant. The oldest written papyrus from the British Museum in the exhibition dates from the 12th Dynasty (1985–1795 BC) – these delicate papyri have survived for thousands of years, giving us so much information about life in ancient Egypt. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |