Ancient paper is a term used to describe paper-like materials that were used in the ancient world. The most common form of ancient paper was PAPYRUS, which was made from the stem of the PAPYRUS plant and was used by the ancient Egyptians. PAPYRUS was used for writing, painting, and even wrapping mummies. It was also used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and was the main form of paper used until the invention of paper in China in the 2nd century AD.