How to distinguish real papyrus from a fake in Egypt?

It is quite easy to distinguish real Egyptian papyrus from a fake made of banana leaves if you know a few secrets. Real papyrus is a material made from the stems of the Cyperus papyrus plant. It is quite flexible, can be crumpled, and will not break or crack. A fake, often sold at street stalls, will be brittle, fragile, and may delaminate.

The best way to buy real papyrus is to go to a specialized factory, where they will show you the entire production process. The price for quality papyrus starts from $5 and can go up to $100 for large and complex paintings. On the streets, fakes may cost as little as $2, but they will quickly deteriorate. Pay attention to the structure: real papyrus shows interwoven fibers, while a fake has a smoother and more uniform surface.

We have covered this and other souvenirs in more detail in the article Souvenirs from Egypt – what to bring and prices.

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