Apr 08 2008 10:31 AMMicroscopy & Microtechniques
MATERIALS TESTING HELPS WITH THE CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC PARCHMENT DOCUMENTS
Parchment is manufactured from animal hides,
composed predominantly of collagen. The most
common skins used are from calf, goat and sheep [1].
The manufacturing process removes the hair, lipids
and other non-collagenous materials through the use
of lime baths, stretching and scraping [2]. Parchments
often appear white due to the addition of minerals
and finishing techniques. Archeological evidence
suggests that parchments were in use as a writing
material as far back as 200 BC, it is therefore of no
surprise that some of the most valued texts and works
of art in history, including the Domesday Book and
the Dead Sea Scrolls were recorded on parchment.
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