In 1954, Egyptian archeologist Kamal el Mallakh ... because the high ends resemble those of papyrus boats. Papyrus is a tall sedge that the Egyptians relied on to make boats as well as cordage ...

David Degner / Getty Reportage A papyrus Tallet found at Wadi ... of this project of the Egyptian state.” Working on the royal boats, it seems, was a source of prestige. According to the papyri ...