1st Century: Palm Leaf Books

Before 1st c – Palm leaf books developed in India – Religious sutras were copied onto palm leaves (cut into 2, lengthwise) with a metal stylus. The leaf was dried and rubbed with ink. Finished leaves and cover boards were threaded onto 2 long pieces of twine. Twine was wrapped around book when closed. Buddhist monks took idea through Persia, Afghanistan and Iran to China in first century BCE