The development of paper-like materials played an important role in the intellectual evolution of various high cultures of the world also in Central America. The today's word “paper” is taken from “papyrus,” the paper of ancient Egypt. Papyrus was also one of the important construction materials for boats, mats, sandals, etc., the main use, however, was as writing material. Fray Toribio Benavente, a Franciscan, writes: Paper is made from “metl” (Agave), and they make much of this today in Tlaxala. There are also trees (maguey), whose bark they take to make paper called “amatl” (fig tree).