Bergama Parchment / Bergama Paper

Bergama parchment, also known as Bergama paper, is a durable writing material made exclusively from animal skin that has been thinned using lime solution and is suitable for writing. This material, whose origins trace back to the 2nd century BCE in the Kingdom of Pergamon, was developed by librarians Krates and Herodicus from goat skin following a ban on the export of papyrus from Egypt. Traditional production involves no chemical substances; it consists of washing the skins, soaking them in lime solution, removing flesh and fat, thinning them with a lunellum knife, and polishing them with pumice stone.

History

The origins of Bergama parchment extend to the 2nd century BCE. Known also as Membrana Pergamena (Pergamon Skin) and Charta Pergamena (Pergamon Paper), this material emerged during the reign of the Kingdom of Pergamon. Under King Eumenes II of the Attalid dynasty, a significant rivalry developed between the Library of Pergamon and the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, as both centers competed for prominence in science and the arts. As a result, the Egyptian Kingdom banned the export of papyrus to Pergamon. This prohibition prompted a search for an alternative writing material, leading librarians Krates and Herodicus to develop parchment by thinning goat skin. Thus, the Library of Pergamon became a major cultural center for preserving literary and artistic works written and stored on parchment. Throughout the Middle Ages, parchment—primarily produced in scriptoria—was widely used due to its durability. Sacred texts and important documents were frequently recorded or copied onto parchment.

Production Method

The production of Bergama parchment is carried out using a traditional local method that has remained essentially unchanged since antiquity. No chemical substances are used in the process; only lime solution is applied. The transformation of salted animal skin into parchment through traditional methods takes approximately one month.

Although goat and sheep skins are predominantly used, skins from other animals may also be employed. The production steps can be summarized as follows:

1. Cleaning: Pre-salted skins are washed with water to remove impurities. The skin is rinsed until the water runs clear and then soaked in water for one day.
2. Soaking in Lime Solution: The cleaned skin is placed in a thick, slaked lime solution for about a week. The concentration of the solution is determined by the artisan’s judgment, requiring considerable skill. The lime penetrates the skin layers, loosening the hair from the dermis.
3. Fleshing: The hair-free skin is processed on a wooden beam (kavalete), shaped like a half-cylinder, or on a fleshing table, using a curved knife also called a kavalete. This step removes flesh and fat tissue from the skin.
4. Resting: The flesh- and fat-free skin is transferred to a lime solution of lower concentration. This stage facilitates the separation of skin layers. The resting period varies between one week and ten days depending on the season.
5. Rinsing: The skin is washed with clean water to remove residual lime from its fibers.
6. Stretching and Thinning: The skin, now free of lime residues, is stretched on large stretching frames. It is then thinned by scraping with a lunellum, a half-moon-shaped knife used in parchment production since antiquity.
7. Polishing: After scraping, the skin is polished with pumice stone to remove residual oils from its surface.
8. Drying: The stretched skin is left to dry. Once dried, it assumes its paper-like form and becomes ready for use.

The final product can be cut to desired dimensions and formed into pages for various purposes. The paper derived from the skin can be stacked and bound along the center or edges to produce books or documents.

Geographical Boundaries and Reputation Link

The production of Bergama parchment / Bergama paper requires local craftsmanship and technical expertise accumulated since antiquity. Consequently, a direct link exists between the product and its geographical origin. All production stages must be carried out within the boundaries of the Bergama district in İzmir Province.

Usage and Marking

The product or its packaging must bear the marking “Bergama Parchment / Bergama Paper” along with the official certification emblem. If this marking cannot be applied directly to the product or packaging, these designations and the emblem must be displayed in a clearly visible location at the production facility.

Inspection and Control

The production of Bergama parchment / Bergama paper and the use of the geographical indication are monitored under the coordination of the Bergama Chamber of Commerce. The inspection body consists of a three-member team, with one representative each from the Bergama Chamber of Commerce, the Bergama Municipality, and the Bergama Public Education Center. Inspections are conducted annually on a regular basis and may also be carried out upon request or complaint.

During inspections, the following are examined:

• The suitability of skins and other materials used in production,
• Compliance with the production method,
• The correct application of the geographical indication and certification emblem.

Support may be obtained from public institutions, private organizations, or qualified experts in the field, or services may be procured as needed. The Bergama Chamber of Commerce is responsible for managing all legal procedures related to the protection of the geographical indication.