As we all know, papermaking technology is one of the four great inventions of China, which has greatly promoted the development of culture, science, technology and economy. What you may not know is that long before the invention of papermaking in China, the ancient Egyptians already used a paper-like material called papyrus. Why is papermaking still China's four great inventions? What is the difference between ancient Egyptian papyrus and Chinese papermaking?
Papyrus, a plant that grows on the banks of the Nile, can be stripped into elongated strips, then cross-stacked and flattened with weights to make a thin sheet of paper. This paper can be used for many purposes such as writing, drawing, wrapping, and more.
According to archaeologists, the earliest use of papyrus by ancient Egyptians was around 3,000 BC, which is more than 5,000 years ago. This is more than 2,000 years before China invented papermaking.
Why did the ancient Egyptians think of making paper from papyrus? This has to do with their geography and cultural traditions. Ancient Egypt was a desert country that lacked water and vegetation everywhere except the Nile Valley. They have a hard time finding other materials suitable for writing, such as wood, bamboo, leather, etc. The Nile Valley, on the other hand, is rich and fertile, with a variety of plants, including papyrus. The ancient Egyptians were adept at using natural resources, they discovered the properties of papyrus and processed it into a convenient writing instrument.
The ancient Egyptians also had a strong cultural need. They practice polytheism and believe that souls enter the underworld after death. In order for the deceased to pass the trials of the underworld and enjoy eternal life, they would place various offerings and offerings in the tomb, including papyrus scrolls with prayers, laws, and historical texts. Known as the "Book of the Dead," these scrolls record the beliefs, wisdom, and culture of the ancient Egyptians.
The ancient Egyptians used papyrus out of necessity for survival and faith. They didn't see it as an innovation in the technology or spread it to other regions.
Papyrus, while convenient, also has many disadvantages. Its production process is relatively cumbersome and requires a lot of manpower and material resources. Its quality is also not uniform enough, easy to get moisture, mold, brittle cracking. Its origin is also limited by geography, and only the Nile Valley grows papyrus. Papyrus did not become a universal writing material, but was confined to ancient Egypt and some surrounding regions.
The earliest writing materials used in Chinese were oracle bone, bamboo and silk. Although these materials are more durable than papyrus, they also have many inconveniences. Both oracle bones and bamboo tablets are heavy and not easy to carry and preserve. Although silk is light, it is also expensive and not suitable for ordinary people. Chinese was looking for a more suitable writing material.
According to historical records, during the Western Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BC, an official named Cai Lun invented a new method of making paper. He used plant fibers such as bark, hemp head, and rags as raw materials, and made a fine and uniform pulp through soaking, boiling, mashing, rinsing and other processes. He used a sheet of bamboo mesh with fine holes to sift out the moisture in the pulp, and then pressed it dry with a heavy object to obtain a white paper. This paper is what we call papermaking today.
Cai Lun's papermaking has many advantages. Its raw materials come from a wide range of sources, and almost any plant can be used to make paper. Its production process is also relatively simple and does not require much technology and equipment. Its quality is also relatively high, both light and thin, and can absorb ink and opaque. It also has many uses, in addition to writing and painting, it can also be used for printing, packaging, decoration and much more.
Chinese invented papermaking out of the motive of innovation and dissemination. Not only did they solve their own writing problems, but they also spread the technique to other regions and countries. Papermaking has been continuously improved and developed, forming a wide variety of varieties and styles. Papermaking also promoted the development of other technologies and cultures, such as printing, calligraphy, painting, literature, and so on.
The ancient Egyptians' use of papyrus and Chinese's invention of papermaking are two different historical phenomena. The former is the use of natural resources, the latter is a technological innovation. The former is a kind of cultural preservation, the latter is a kind of cultural transmission. The former is a local impact and the latter a global one. We can't simply say that there was paper in ancient Egypt, why is papermaking still the four great inventions of China? We should recognize that papermaking is not just a material product, but a cultural phenomenon.