What is parchment?

Parchment is like paper made from tree bark, but softer and stronger.

Imagine you're playing with a piece of cardboard, and then someone gently presses it under warm water for a long time. The cardboard becomes soft, almost like the inside of a banana peel. That's what happens to parchment, it starts as tree bark, and after being soaked and pressed, it turns into a smooth, strong sheet you can write on.

Parchment is not as rough as cardboard or as thin as tissue paper. It feels more like the skin of an apple, a bit bumpy at first, but smooth once you rub it. People in ancient times used it to write stories, letters, and even secrets!

Long ago, before we had plastic or computers, parchment was the best way to keep records safe. Scribes would carefully write on it with ink made from soot and juice, kind of like drawing with a black crayon! Parchment is like paper made from tree bark, but softer and stronger.

Imagine you're playing with a piece of cardboard, and then someone gently presses it under warm water for a long time. The cardboard becomes soft, almost like the inside of a banana peel. That's what happens to parchment, it starts as tree bark, and after being soaked and pressed, it turns into a smooth, strong sheet you can write on.

Parchment is not as rough as cardboard or as thin as tissue paper. It feels more like the skin of an apple, a bit bumpy at first, but smooth once you rub it. People in ancient times used it to write stories, letters, and even secrets!

Long ago, before we had plastic or computers, parchment was the best way to keep records safe. Scribes would carefully write on it with ink made from soot and juice, kind of like drawing with a black crayon!