Papyrus: Egypt to Greece to Rome, is a substance made from layering flattened plant stalk in a cross wise fashion and then pressing, drying this with flour paste. The papyrus is then beaten flat and smooth, ready for inscription (writing, drawing, ainting.) Papyrus: Egypt, aquatic plant of same name, 10-15 ft high stem which is smooth and without knots, papyrus made by separating the coats of this by a thin mussel shell and then soaked in the form the paper was to be and allowed to dry.