Parchment

Parchment is a writing material made from specially prepared untanned skins of animals—primarily sheep, calves, and goats. It has been used as a writing medium for over two millennia.

Description of what it is like

Parchment is a thin, tough, and usually cream-colored material. It is much more durable than paper or papyrus. It has a smooth surface that can be written on with ink. High-quality parchment is often called vellum.

Origin and where to find it

• Environments: Anywhere livestock (sheep, goats, cattle) is raised.
• Signs: Derived from the skins of young animals for the best quality.
• It is a highly processed material of animal origin.

Minimum processing required

• Unhairing: Soaking the skin in a lime solution to remove hair and fat.
• Stretching: Stretching the wet skin on a wooden frame (herse).
• Scraping: Scraping the skin with a curved knife (lunellum) to achieve uniform thickness while still wet and under tension.
• Drying: Allowing the skin to dry while stretched to align the fibers.
• Polishing: Rubbing with pumice or chalk to prepare the surface for ink.

Tools needed to work on it

• Wooden stretching frames and clips.
• Lunellum (half-moon shaped knife).
• Lime pits or vats.
• Pumice stones for polishing.

Common forms of use

• Rolls and Scrolls: For long documents.
• Codices: Bound books, where parchment excelled due to its ability to be folded.
• Charters: Official legal documents where longevity was essential.

Possible substitutes

• Paper: Cheaper and easier to produce but less durable.
• Papyrus: Less durable and restricted to certain climates.
• Leather: Tanned leather is too oily and dark for good writing, whereas parchment is untanned and degreased.

Limitations and common failures

• Humidity: While more resistant than papyrus, extreme humidity can cause it to warp or “cockle.”
• Cost: Very expensive, as it requires the skin of an animal for just a few pages.
• Insects: Can be attacked by certain pests if not stored properly.

Risks and safety

• Chemicals: The liming process involves strong alkaline solutions that can irritate skin and eyes.
• Biological: Working with raw hides requires hygiene to avoid infection.

Related materials

• Leather: The same raw source (animal skins), but processed differently (parchment is untanned).
• Ink: Used to write on parchment.
• Bone: Often from the same source animals.