Parchment

Parchment is an ancient material used for writing, made from sheepskin or calfskin that has been de-haired, treated with lime, and then softened and dried with pumice. These sheets of parchment were bound into booklets called codices. The best quality parchment, known as Vellum, was used for transcribing the most important books. It is said that in the 2nd century BC, King Ptolemy V of Egypt, in an effort to stifle competition between the Library of Pergamum and the Library of Alexandria, banned the export of papyrus. In response, the people of Pergamum invented parchment as a substitute, and it gradually replaced papyrus throughout the Mediterranean region. Parchment could be written on both sides and held colors well, allowing it to be folded into book form. Papyrus, on the other hand, could only be written on one side, was susceptible to moisture, and was unsuitable for use in damp regions. The English word “Parchment” is derived from the name of the city, Pergamum.