## papyrus basket ##

This is a basket made from a tall grass that grows by the Nile River in Egypt.

## sealed it with bitumen and pitch ##

AT: "spread tar on it to keep water from getting into it"

## sealed ##

Here "sealed" means that she applied a waterproof coating.

## bitumen and pitch ##

"tar." This is a sticky black paste used to keep out water.

## reeds ##

a type of tall grass that grows in flat, wet areas

## at a distance ##

This means something is close enough to see but still far enough away to remain hidden.