Bound and Determined: The Remarkable Physical History of the Book

A scroll is a rolled book form that predates the codex, or bound book. Ancient Egyptians created scrolls from papyrus reeds, but animal skin, especially parchment and vellum, and other organic materials have also been used in various civilizations and times.

Though the codex overtook the scroll as the more common book form in about the first century CE, the scroll is a format still used in Jewish traditions.

Seen here is a Megillat Ester, or Book of Esther, from the Hebrew Bible. This scroll is Yemen in origin and dates to around the 17th century. The Megillah is constructed of pieces of parchment sewn together. As with most scrolls, the writing appears on just one side of the writing surface.