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The first paper was from Ancient Egypt and was papyrus prepared from the soft centres (the pith) of the Papyrus reeds growing along the edges of the Nile. These were cultivated in plantations specifically for paper making. The pith was sliced to create strips which are placed in alternate horizontal and vertical rows as a weave which is then put into a press. It takes about two weeks to produce a sheet of papyrus but several can be joined together and made very long so it can be rolled up as a scroll

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