parchments

Parchment is a writing surface made from animal skin, usually from sheep, goat, or calf. It is prepared through a process that removes flesh and hair and yields a durable, smooth material suitable for writing. The term is often used broadly for this type of material, while “vellum” is a more restrictive term that typically refers to calfskin parchment of particularly high quality.

Production involves several steps. After cleaning and dehairing, the skin is soaked and treated to remove oils and scale. It is then stretched on frames while damp and scraped to a thin, uniform thickness. The surface may be smoothed, ground, and whitened with chalk or other substances. The result is a flexible, resilient writing surface that can be cut into sheets or formed into rolls.

Historically, parchment emerged as a principal writing material in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East, becoming widespread in Europe during the medieval period as a substitute for papyrus and other writing surfaces. The name “parchment” is sometimes linked to Pergamon, an ancient city known for high-quality skins, though the exact origin of the term varies by tradition. Parchment remained the standard medium for manuscripts, legal documents, and official records for centuries.

Uses and types. Parchment has been employed for manuscripts, codices, liturgical texts, legal instruments, diplomas, and music scores. Today it is valued in archival and conservational contexts for its longevity, though its care requires humidity and temperature control and careful handling to prevent brittleness or mold.

Not to be confused with parchment paper, a cellulose-based sheet used for baking and cooking, parchment as a writing material spans the history of written culture and archival practice.