Visiting the Papyrus Museum in Syracuse, Sicily (Italy) with Savvy Mom Ruth Paget

Visiting the Papyrus Museum in Syracuse, Italy with Savvy Mom Ruth Paget

I wanted to be an archaeologist as a child, so I zeroed in on the Papyrus Museum in Syracuse when I saw it in our touring guide for Sicily.  I thought the museum would be full of Egyptian manuscripts.

Much to my surprise, papyrus grows along the Ciane River just outside Syracuse.  We watched an English-language film, which showed how papyrus is made along with its many other uses.  The other uses of papyrus are what truly fascinated me in the museum.

Papyrus can be used to make baskets, sandals, ropes, mats, and boats.  The film said you could even eat papyrus if you wanted, but did not detail how to cook it.  I thought papyrus baskets could be used for cooking in the same way that Native Americans have used baskets for cooking.  You can place porridge or water in a basket along with rocks that have been heat in a fire to cook food or boil water.

The Museum houses papyrus boats that look like kayaks from Lakes Tana and Zwai (Ethiopia) and Lake Chad (Chad).  The Museum displayed the boats with paddles, but they looked sturdy enough for an outboard motor I thought.

In Syracuse, papyrus paper began to be produced in the 18^th century.  The film showed how strips of wet papyrus were laid down vertically on a cotton cloth in overlapping layers.   Once the first layer was placed over the cotton another layer of strips was laid on it horizontally.  The papyrus paper was then pressed down with a weight to flatten it as it dried.

The Papyrus Museum displays the equipment for making paper in addition to Egyptian papyrus paper fragments.  There are also reproductions of Egyptian paintings depicting the manufacture of papyrus paper that are beautifully illuminated by the tall windows on the Bay of Syracuse outside.

Parking for the Museum is limited.  Tourists should park in one of the city’s huge garages and take a taxi or bus to the museum.  Along with the Papyrus Museum, there is also a Pupi Museum about Sicilian puppets located nearby.

Photos of a papyrus paper press and plant with wet papyrus strips are below.

By Ruth Paget - Author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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Laurent Paget Photography

Laurent Paget Photography

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