 Papyrus is a thick, paper-like material produced from the pith of the "Cyperus papyrus" plant which was used in ancient Egypt and other Mediterranean societies for writing long before paper was used in China.Papyrus is prepared by cutting off thin ribbon-like strips of the interior of the "Cyperus papyrus", and then laying out the strips side-by-side to make a sheet.A second layer is then placed on top, with the strips running at right angle to the first.