Handling rolled parchment documents

The size, weight and condition of rolled parchment documents can present some handling challenges. Rolled parchment documents may be made of several membranes sewn end-to-end or sewn together at the head. Membranes sewn at the head may be of different sizes.

Areas of vulnerability:

• Outer layers and edges of rolls are vulnerable to damage during handling.
• Sewing and areas where parchments are joined together are vulnerable to damage through unrolling and re-rolling.
• Inks and pigments are not absorbed into the surface of parchment, so they can become friable and are at risk of abrasion during handling. They can also be vulnerable to light exposure which can lead to fading or loss.

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Handling aids:

• When preparing to open a rolled parchment, leather snake weights or bag weights are useful for creating a barrier to prevent the document from rolling off the table edge.
• Glass weights provide a gentle, low-contact weight for handling parchments that are damaged or fragile.
• Snake weights can be positioned flexibly around areas of text and can also be placed inside rolled items to prevent movement during use.

Handling top tips:

• Before unrolling a parchment, ensure there is adequate table space to accommodate it and that the weights needed are within easy reach.
• A rolled parchment must not be unrolled to its fullest extent – begin by unrolling a small amount, then re-rolling the ‘slack’. Repeat this unroll/re-roll action to reach the required section of the parchment.
• Avoid touching areas of text directly when reading – use the paper markers provided to follow lines of text.
• When using weights, avoid placing them directly onto areas of text or imagery.
• When re-rolling a parchment after use, ensure that it’s rolled tight enough to prevent movement within the roll (for example, to prevent the middle from sliding out when handled) and keep the edges in alignment.

For more handling tips, watch our guidance video on how to handle rolled documents.