Parchment
Animal-skin writing support used for over two millennia.
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 in West Asia and Europe for more than two millennia. Vellum is a type of fine-quality parchment made from the skins of calves. The generic term animal membrane is sometimes used by libraries and museums that wish to avoid distinguishing between parchment and vellum.
- material
- Animal skin (sheep, calves, goats)
- primary_period_of_use
- Antiquity through late Middle Ages
- region
- West Asia and Europe
- related_term
- Vellum (calfskin)
- key_historical_role
- Primary writing support for important books before paper
Lore & Background
The word parchment evolved from the name of the city of Pergamon, a thriving center of production during the Hellenistic period. A legend, originating in Pliny the Elder's writings, claimed parchment was invented there to replace papyrus monopolized by Alexandria, but this is almost assuredly false because parchment had been in use in Anatolia and elsewhere long before Pergamon's rise. Herodotus mentions writing on skins as common in the 5th century BC, and the Ionians of Asia Minor gave the name of skins to books. Egyptian documents on leather date to the Fourth Dynasty (c. Assyrians and Babylonians also wrote on parchment from the 6th century BC.
Reader's Guide
Its expense compared to papyrus contributed to the loss of much ancient literature, as production of new works largely ceased until cheaper materials emerged, a factor in the early Middle Ages being known as the Dark Ages. In the later Middle Ages, parchment was largely replaced by paper for most uses except luxury manuscripts. The supply of animal skins could not keep up with the demands of printers after the arrival of printing in the later fifteenth century. Its revival among artists since the late 20th century highlights its unique working properties, as collagen in the surface melts slightly when touched by water-based paint, forming a raised bed for the medium.
Did You Know?
- The word parchment derives from the city of Pergamon, but the legend that it was invented there is almost certainly false.
- Modern research suggests that the finest quality 'uterine vellum' was not made from fetal hides but by a now-lost technique.
- In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet and Horatio discuss that parchment is made of sheepskins and calves' skins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is parchment made from?
Parchment is a writing surface produced from the treated, untanned skins of animals, most commonly sheep, goats, and calves. The skins go through a preparation process that gives them a smooth, durable surface suitable for ink.
What's the difference between parchment and vellum?
Vellum is a finer, higher-grade subset of parchment made specifically from calfskin. Many modern libraries and museums now use the broader term 'animal membrane' to sidestep the parchment-versus-vellum distinction altogether.
How long did parchment serve as the main writing material in Europe and West Asia?
Parchment was the dominant writing support for roughly two thousand years, from antiquity through the late Middle Ages. It was the standard medium for important books and documents well before paper became widely available.
Why is parchment historically significant in the history of books?
Before paper technology spread, parchment was the principal surface on which scribes and institutions recorded their most important texts. Its durability and smooth finish made it far better suited to long-term preservation than papyrus.
Which animals provide the best parchment?
Sheep, goats, and calves are the primary sources, with calfskin yielding the finest grade known as vellum. The species chosen affects the thickness, smoothness, and overall quality of the finished writing surface.
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