Parchment - genuine whole animal skin
The data carrier of the past
We owe most of our current knowledge about the past to chroniclers from antiquity to the late Middle Ages. They wrote their chronicles on durable parchment and leather. In contrast to the fragile papyrus, parchment is made from animal skins (leather). The oldest datable parchment finds are debatable. However, finds from around 2700 BC in Egypt are indisputable. Valuable manuscripts and texts can be found on this precious material from antiquity. It consisted and still consists of the skin of calves, cattle, sheep and goats. These skins were cleaned and processed. The fact that parchment was valuable is shown by the fact that it was recycled. This was done by simply scraping away the texts on it.
The universal talent of parchment
Parchment was a sought-after commodity as a writing material for many centuries. However, it was not only used as a writing material, but also as a translucent windbreak in window openings, drumheads and as a covering for shields. Their wood often splintered when struck by swords. It is still used today in the construction of wooden prostheses.
- 10-12 edge pieces, irregularly cut, various sizes
- Great illustrative material
- Each piece is naturally different
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cleaned and sanded on one side
- approx. 1-3 mm thick
Natural skin - unique production
The shape of the parchment is slightly more irregular and the parchment may have small holes at the edges. The edges of the parchment are sometimes straightened with a knife and/or have irregular coloring.
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 cheaper paper, making it a luxury writing material.
The great advantage of parchment over other materials lies in its durability and the fact that it can be used several times. The surface can be made clean again by scraping off older writing with a pumice stone or a penknife.
Parchment consists of an animal skin, usually goat, from which the hair and meat residues are removed with the help of lime water and scraping knives. Unlike leather, parchment is not tanned and therefore remains transparent, i.e. translucent.
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