The History of Parchment Parchment is an ancient writing surface made from animal skins, used long before paper became common. Its origins date back to at least the 2nd century BCE, and it became widely used across the Mediterranean world, particularly in Greece and Rome. The city of Pergamon (modern-day Bergama, Turkey) played a key role in the development of parchment, giving rise to the term “pergamena.” Parchment was prized for its durability and smooth surface, making it ideal for manuscripts, scrolls, religious texts, and official documents.

During the Middle Ages, parchment remained the primary medium for books and important documents across Europe, until paper became more widely available in the late medieval period. Each sheet of parchment required careful preparation, stretching, and scraping to create a surface suitable for writing or painting. The process was labour-intensive, and the skills were passed down through apprenticeships, creating a lineage of craft and tradition.

Today, parchment is still valued for its unique qualities, both in conservation and in artistic practice. It is not only a medium but a link to centuries of human history and craftsmanship—a tradition I continue to explore and preserve in my work at Mavi Dükkan.