Ancient Egypt : THE PLANTS

In ancient Egypt and particularly in the meandering arms of the river in the Delta, the banks of the Nile were lined by swamps such as are now only to be found in the reaches of the White Nile.1 In ancient Egypt the marshes, characterized by the luxuriant growth of tall papyrus sedges, were extremely important in the economy of the land. In them the cattle found pasturage;2 and their transit through the water, risking the attacks of lurking crocodiles, to new fields is frequently shown in the scenes of Egyptian tombs. In the swamp lands too, the peasants fished and netted birds3 or harvested papyrus.4 Much of the economic value of the marshes arose from the presence of this plant which had manifold uses.5 The building of papyrus boats,6 the making of papyrus ropes and matting,7 the splitting of papyrus stems, possibly in preparation for papermaking8 are illustrated on tomb