Scroll

Joshua Roll

Scroll

Scroll ink materials

Volumen y Rotulus

Parliamentary archives

Scroll refers to a roll of papyrus, parchment, or paper which has been written, drawn or painted upon for the purpose of transmitting information or using as a decoration. Historically, scrolls were the first form of editable record keeping texts, documents, or other writings before the advent of the codex or book form. The term primarily refers to ancient documents, but it can also be applied to modern documents rolled for ceremonial or decorative purposes.

History

The use of scrolls dates back to ancient Egypt, where papyrus scrolls were in use by the 4th millennium BCE for writing religious texts and other documents. The technology of making papyrus from the papyrus plant was a closely guarded secret of the Egyptians, enabling them to dominate the "book" market in the ancient world. Scrolls were also extensively used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, with materials transitioning from papyrus to parchment (prepared animal skins) due to the scarcity of papyrus outside of Egypt and its fragility. The Hebrew Bible was also written on scrolls and played a significant role in the religious and cultural practices of the Jews.

Design and Use

A scroll is typically made up of a long strip of papyrus, parchment, or paper wound around a wooden stick, known as a roller or a handle. The text is written in columns (known as paginae), and the reader would unroll the scroll with one hand while rolling it up with the other, moving from the beginning to the end of the document. This format was eventually replaced by the codex, which offered advantages such as easier access to specific points in the text and the ability to contain more content in a compact form.

Cultural Significance

Scrolls have held significant cultural, religious, and historical importance in various societies. In Judaism, the Torah is traditionally written on a scroll and is central to religious practices. Scrolls have also been used for secular documents, such as legal codes and literary works. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 20th century, which are ancient Jewish texts found in the West Bank, has provided invaluable insights into the history and beliefs of early Jewish communities.

Modern Usage

In contemporary times, the concept of the scroll has seen a resurgence in the form of digital scrolling on computers and smartphones. While the physical form of scrolls is now largely obsolete for practical purposes, they are still used in ceremonial or decorative contexts. Scrolls also continue to influence modern design and technology, with the term "scrolling" becoming a fundamental action in the digital user interface.

See Also

• Papyrus
• Parchment
• Codex
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• Torah