Parchment roll - Parchment sheet
What actually is parchment?
Parchment is a writing material that was used in ancient times. In contrast to its predecessor, papyrus, which is made from the papyrus plant, parchment is made from animal skin. The writing material first came to Greece and Rome in Hellenistic times via the city of Pergamon in western Asia Minor, from which the name parchment is derived.
Parchment is produced in several stages. The animal skin is placed in a lime solution. There, the hairs largely detach from the skin. The skin is then stretched into appropriately sized wooden frames and, while still damp, is literally scraped off with a special knife.
Buy parchment in the Römer Shop
Buying parchment in our Römer Shop means bringing incomparable quality into your home. Made from real animal skin, you will receive a high-quality, elaborately produced sheet of parchment measuring approximately 20 x 75 cm, with an extra-fine surface that is particularly easy to write on.
- High-quality, genuine parchment
- approx. 75 x 20 cm roll
- Good surface for writing on one side
- Buy parchment made from real animal skin - for the genuine flair of antiquity
Where could you buy parchment in antiquity?
As papyrus only grew in a few regions and had to be imported at great expense, parchment was a real asset for ancient scribes, as it could be produced anywhere and parchment could therefore be bought anywhere. The history of its origins is also linked to the simplicity of buying parchment: A ban on the export of papyrus to Pergamon is said to have been imposed from Egypt and parchment was invented as a result.
Why buy parchment?
If you have always wanted to know what it felt like to write in ancient times, you can now find out by buying one or more sheets of parchment from our museum store. Those who are particularly keen to experiment or are creative can also buy a set from us to make their own parchment.
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