03-PARCHMENT AND PAPER

03-PARCHMENT AND PAPER   

PARCHMENT IS MADE FROM THE SKINS OF ANIMALS SUCH AS SHEEP, CALVES,OR GOATS. THE SKIN IS DRIED AND TREATED UNTIL IT BECOMES FLAT AND PAPERLIKE.PARCHMENT IS MUCH STRONGER THAN PAPER. IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE, TOO. THE BEAUTIFULPRAYER BOOKS AND BIBLES COPIED BY HAND IN THE MIDDLE AGES WERE ON PARCHMENT.PARCHMENT IS RARELY USED TODAY. PAPER WAS FIRST MADE INCHINAALMOSTTWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO BY USING BARK FROM THE MULBERRY TREE. (TODAY, THE FINESTPAPER IS MADE FROM CLOTH RAGS.) PAPER WAS MADE BY WETTING AND POUNDING THEMATERIAL UNTIL IT SEPARATED INTO FIBERS OR STRANDS. THESE WERE THEN BROKEN DOWNINTO A LIQUIDLIKE SUBSTANCE THAT WAS POURED ONTO A MESH MOLD. AFTER THESUBSTANCE DRAINED ON THE MOLD, IT COULD BE LIFTED OFF AS A SHEET OF PAPER. INEUROPE, PAPER WAS INTRODUCED BY THE MOORS OFNORTHERN AFRICA. THE FIRST PAPERMAKING MILL WAS BUILT INSPAINAROUND1150.