This form of paper dates back over 5000 years ago, back during the Egyptian period.
The second form of manuscript was the codex or book. Since papyrus was so fragile and could not be folded, they would cut small sections of a scroll and would fasten the leaves together on the edge or margin. Later, because the papyrus codices were so brittle, they began to use parchment. Parchment is animal skins from a calf, sheep, or goat. The skins toughness and flexibility was perfect for making books. They would actually kill the animal while still in the womb, for perfect smoothness and cleanliness. There are five actually known oldest illustrated manuscripts which include the Itala, The Vatican Vergil, The Ambrosian Iliad, the Codex Romanus and Agrimensoria. All are believed to be written between the 4th and 6th century.
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