The principal material used for writing in the Middle Ages was parchment. Parchment is a high-quality writing material made from the skin of animals, usually sheep or calves. It was more durable and long-lasting than other writing materials, such as papyrus, and was widely used for manuscripts, official documents, and other important writings. The process of making parchment involved carefully preparing and treating the animal skin by removing the hair and flesh, stretching it, scraping it to remove any remaining flesh or fat, and then smoothing and polishing it. Once it was ready, parchment could be written on with ink and quill pens. This allowed for intricate and detailed writing, making parchment especially suitable for the creation of illuminated manuscripts and other important documents.