The Story of the Production of Parchment as Recorded in the Animal Skins of the Hamburg Bible

This study provides a comprehensive visual analysis of the parchment used in the Hamburg Bible, a medieval manuscript exemplifying the traditional calf parchment production techniques that prevailed during the Middle Ages. This research delineates the evolution of parchment-making processes, challenging the simplistic representations often found in historical literature. Through detailed examination of each stage – from raw calfskin to refined writing material – this paper highlights the complexity and variability inherent in these methods. The introduction of ‘biocodicology’ as an emerging field, combining biological analysis with codicology, enhances our understanding of manuscript materials. It offers novel insights into the identification of imperfections and their origins throughout the parchment production sequence. The analysis includes results from conservation assessments and experimental parchment-making, enriching our knowledge of historical manufacturing practices and their impact on manuscript quality