Article: PAPER THAT LASTS CENTURIES.(parchment)

Tradition says that parchment, or "animal skins used as writing materials," was invented some 2,200 years ago in Pergamum, a city in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). Animal skins had been used prior to this time, but the new method produced a much cleaner and finer material. At the time, Pergamum was home to one of the finest libraries in the ancient world. The city's rulers constantly sought to expand the library's collection, and encouraged distinguished scholars to visit and use its resources. Not everyone, however, considered Pergamum the intellectual center of the Mediterranean world. Alexandria in Egypt also boasted a fine library, and the Ptolemies, the ruling ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!