Parchment is an animal skin that has been prepared as a surface for writing. The word parchment usually means a writing material made from the skins of sheep, goats, or calves. Such materials are very durable. Parchment scrolls have survived from about 1500 B.C.
In making parchment, the skins are first washed and then placed in lime to remove the hair and fat. Next, the skins are stretched on a frame and thinned with knives and scrapers. Finally, the skins are rubbed with chalk and pumice in order to create a smooth, white writing surface.
A form of fine, high-quality parchment called vellum is made from the skins of calves, kids, or lambs. Vellum has been used for important writings such as charters, university diplomas, and wills. Heavy parchment is made from the skins of calves, donkeys, goats, and wolves. It is used for drumheads.
Parchment was especially popular in the ancient cities of Asia Minor. The Jews, Persians, and other ancient peoples used it for sacred and literary writings. Beginning about 200 B.C., parchment gradually replaced papyrus as the most commonly used writing material. Parchment remained the leading writing material in the West even after the introduction of paper from the Middle East in the A.D. 1000’s. Paper largely replaced parchment about the time printing was being developed in Europe during the 1400’s. Parchment is still sometimes used for important documents, such as diplomas. In addition, artists still sometimes paint on parchment , and the material is occasionally used in bookbinding and book conservation.
