Pergamente

Pergamente, in English parchment, is a writing material made from whole animal skins, typically from sheep, goat, or calf. It was widely used in antiquity and the Middle Ages before paper became common, and it continues to be produced today for specialized applications because of its durability and unique surface characteristics. The term is sometimes distinguished from vellum, which in some usages refers specifically to calfskin, while parchment covers skins of various animals.

Production: The skin is cleaned and depilated, then soaked in lime to loosen hair and tissue. It is trimmed, scraped, and washed, then stretched on a frame and dried under tension to produce a smooth, slightly translucent surface. The surface may be treated with chalk or pumice to whiten and flatten it.

Uses: Parchment has served as a substrate for manuscripts, charters, legal documents, and religious texts across Europe and the Middle East. It was prized for longevity and clarity of writing. Although largely supplanted by paper, parchment remains a preferred material for archival bindings, art conservation, and calligraphy. Note: parchment paper used in cooking is a modern cellulose product and is not true parchment.

History and preservation: Evidence of parchment production appears in ancient civilizations and became dominant in medieval European scriptoria. Its production declined with paper’s rise but persisted in niche crafts and ceremonial documents. Parchment is hygroscopic and sensitive to humidity and temperature; high moisture can cause cockling and mold, while dryness makes it brittle. Conservation requires stable environmental conditions and careful handling.