Parchment lives on in its birthplace thanks to apprentices

Parchment lives on in its birthplace thanks to apprentices

İZMİR

Parchment, made by processing goat hides as an alternative to papyrus in the second century BC, has deep roots in Bergama.

Apprentices trained by the late Ismail Araç, one of the last traditional “karatabak” masters in Bergama, are keeping the ancient art of parchment-making alive in Türkiye and abroad using methods passed down by their master.

Parchment, made by processing goat hides as an alternative to papyrus in the second century B.C., has deep roots in Bergama. Araç, who died at the age of 93 on May 28, devoted his life to preserving the craft and training a new generation of artisans.