Papyrus grows by the banks of the River Nile and Ancient Egyptians used it to make lots of things. They used the pith inside the stem to make paper by cutting it into thin strips and then weaving the strips into a mat. Then they would roll a smooth stone over it to blend the papyrus fibres together to make the surface smooth. It was then dried in the sun to make it ready to write on with a papyrus pen! Papyrus was also used for making fishing boats, sandals, baskets, brushes and string.