The word paper comes from [[papyrus]], which was an early form of writing material used in ancient [[Egypt]]. Papyrus however, is not paper - it is reed strips pounded together. True paper, or paper made from the cellulose and wood pulp of plant materials, was invented in the [[Han Dynasty]] around the 2nd century B.C. In [[Mediaeval]] [[Europe]] parchment or vellum was made from animal skin. Unually calf skin or sheep skin was used. Books were made from parchment the way paper is used today. | The word paper comes from [[papyrus]], which was an early form of writing material used in ancient [[Egypt]]. Papyrus however, is not paper - it is reed strips pounded together. True paper, or paper made from the cellulose and wood pulp of plant materials, was invented in the [[Han Dynasty]] around the 2nd century B.C. In [[Mediaeval]] [[Europe]] parchment or vellum was made from animal skin. Unually calf skin or sheep skin was used. Books were made from parchment the way paper is used today. |