Parchment Roll - Parchment Sheet
What exactly is parchment?
Parchment is a writing material that was used in antiquity. Unlike its predecessor, papyrus, which is made from the papyrus plant, parchment is made from animal skin. The writing material reached Greece and Rome only in the Hellenistic period via the West Anatolian city of Pergamon, from whose name the term parchment is derived.
The production of parchment takes place in several steps. The animal hide is placed in a lime bath, where the hair largely loosens from the skin. The skin is then stretched on appropriately sized wooden frames and, while still damp, is literally scraped down with a special knife.
Buy parchment in the Roman Shop
Buying parchment in our Roman Shop means bringing incomparable quality into your home. Made from genuine animal hide, you receive a high-quality, elaborately produced parchment sheet measuring approximately 20 by 30 cm, whose surface is extra finely finished and therefore particularly easy to write on.
- High-quality, genuine parchment
- approx. 20 x 30 cm
- Good single-sided writable surface
- Buy parchment made from genuine animal hide – for the unadulterated flair of antiquity
Where could you buy parchment in antiquity?
Because papyrus grew only in a few regions and had to be imported at great effort, parchment was a real boon for ancient scribes: it could be produced anywhere, and therefore you could buy parchment anywhere. Its origin story is also linked to how easy it was to obtain parchment: an export ban on papyrus from Egypt to Pergamon is said to have been imposed, after which parchment was invented.
Why buy parchment?
If you have always wanted to know what it felt like to write in antiquity, you can now experience it by buying one or more sheets of parchment in our museum shop. Particularly experimental or creative people can also buy a kit from us for making parchment themselves.
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FAQs - Product Questions!
What is the best way to write on a real parchment sheet?
For the most authentic results, write with a goose quill or metal nib and traditional iron gall or soot ink; fine calligraphy nibs also work well. The finely finished surface of our approx. 20 x 30 cm parchment sheet accepts ink cleanly; test modern fountain pens first on an inconspicuous spot.
Is the parchment writable on both sides?
This parchment is primarily well writable on one side; the reverse is naturally rougher and may show slight show-through depending on the sheet. For clean classroom results and certificates, we recommend using only the front.
Is the parchment really made from animal skin?
Yes, this is genuine parchment made from animal skin (traditionally calf, goat, or sheep), not paper or papyrus. That provides the unadulterated flair of antiquity that teachers and history enthusiasts value.
Is the format suitable for school and certificates?
At approximately 20 x 30 cm, the sheet roughly corresponds to A4 and is ideal for certificates, project work, or writing exercises in history and Latin classes. If necessary, it can be trimmed smaller with a sharp knife or scalpel.
Can I print on parchment with a printer?
We advise against it: the heat and moisture in laser and inkjet printers can deform or damage this natural material. For authentic results, texts and illustrations should be applied by hand with nib and ink.
