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This museum, opened in 1989, was created by the International Papyrus Institute which has managed it ever since.
It is focused on the study, conservation and dissemination of a wealth of information about the “papyrus” culture and, at the same time, on the traditions linked to the Sicilian territory and ancient cultures.

In ancient times, papyrus cultivation (namely the Cyperus papyrussiculus variety) used to thrive in many areas of Sicily, introduced during the Arab domination or in the third century BC.
Later on, it almost completely disappeared, due to intense land reclamation activities.
Today, the surviving crops along the Ciane River (Ciane River and Saline Nature Reserve of Siracusa”) and in Fiumefreddo (province of Catania), are the only testament to the past much wider presence in this Region.

The Papyrus Museum is not just an exhibition of artefacts, but a “living museum”, where visitors can witness the very paper processing techniques. Regular educational and scientific activities help to preserve the Ciane papyrus and the crops in Arethusa, while promoting historical traditions, production techniques and conservative restoration of ancient documents written on this type of paper. The museum is also a promoter of a special project for the conservative restoration of papyri in Egypt.

Thanks to its wealth of exhibits, reference material and activities, the museum was included in the list of the exhibitions selected for the prestigious “European Museum of the Year” Award in 1995.

Among its most impressive collections, this facility includes Pharaonic, Hieratic, Demotic, Greek and Coptic papyri, as well as papyri produced in Siracusa since the XIX century; there are also several artefacts such as ropes, mats, containers, and sandals. Not to mention papyrus boats from Ethiopia and Lake Chad, a herbarium of specimens collected in Africa in the other Countries along the Nile River, in Israel and in Sicily. A special part of the exhibition is dedicated to writing tools and materials (mortars and pestles, palettes, brushes, paints, adhesive ingredients for ink, resins and rubber resins), while extensive historical documentation on the origins of papyrus and paper manufacture is available for visitors, students and scholars. There are also several beautiful wall decorations depicting papyri.

The instructional path for schools includes some hands-on activities in excellent educational laboratories. The teaching activity is also carried out through university courses on history, manufacturing and conservative restoration of papyri, Egyptology in general, etc.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)