Parchment - real animal skin
The data carrier of the past
Most of our present knowledge about the past is due to chroniclers from antiquity to the late Middle Ages. They wrote their chronicles on durable parchment and leather. In contrast to the delicate papyrus, parchment is made from animal skins (leather). The oldest datable parchment finds are debatable. Indisputable, however, are finds around 2700 BC in Egypt. Valuable manuscripts and texts can be found on this valuable material from antiquity. It was and still is made of the skin of calves, cattle, sheep and goats. These skins were cleaned and processed. The parchment was valuable because it was recycled. This was done by simply scraping away the texts on it.
The universal talent parchment
Parchment was a sought-after writing material for many centuries. However, it was not only used as writing material, but also as a translucent windbreak in window openings, eardrums and as a covering for shields. Their wood often splintered during sword strokes. Even today it is still used in the construction of wooden prostheses.
- 10-12 edge pieces, irregularly cut, different sizes
- Great illustrative material
- each piece is naturally different
- cleaned and sanded on one side
- approx. 1-3 mm thick
- Production goat / sheep
Natural skin - unique production
Parchments are slightly more irregular in shape and the parchment may have small holes at the edges. The parchment edges are sometimes straightened with a knife and/or irregularly colored.
One of the oldest materials for writing on
The oldest parchment finds are dated by archaeologists to 2700 BC from Egypt.
It was not until the end of the Middle Ages that parchment was finally replaced by the cheaper paper and thus became a luxury writing material.
The great advantage of parchment over other materials is its long durability and the fact that it can be used several times. By scraping off older writings with a pumice stone or a penknife, the surface becomes clean again.
Parchment is made from an animal skin, generally from goat or sheep, and the hair and flesh residue is removed with the help of lime water and scraping knives. Unlike leather, parchment is not tanned and therefore remains transparent, i.e. translucent hides.
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