Research Guides: Book Arts: Book History

Anatomy of a Book

General Book History

Graphic Design History Nancy Stock-Allen's comprehensive site on the history of books, book materials, writing, printing, and design. http://www.designhistory.org
A Brief History of Writing The British Museum's history of writing tools and materials

Clay Tablets

The World's Oldest Writing Cuneiform writing and clay tablets as described by The Archaeological Institute of America

Cuneiform tablets at the UCLA Library

Wax Tablets

Wax Tablets The British Library's description and collection of wax tablets
How to Make a Wax Tablet Instructables step-by-step guide on making a wax tablet
Another way to Make Wax Tablets

Papyrus

A Brief History of Papyrus From the Dartmouth Ancient Books Lab, a blog from a Dartmouth course, CLST: Ancient Books, offered in Spring Term, 2026.
Ancient Writing Materials
University of Michigan Papyrus Collection Information about Papyrus and How it is Made The University of Michigan has over 10,000 ancient papyrus fragments and conducts research and conservation. Don't miss the link to their collection!
How to Make Papyrus WikiHow Instructions on How to Make Papyrus
Pigments and Inks Typically Used on Papyrus This post is part of a series by Conservators and Curators on papyrus and in particular the Book of the Dead of the Goldworker of Amun, Sebekmose, a 24 foot long papyrus in the Brooklyn Museum’s collection.

Parchment

The Grisly Invention of Parchment An excerpt from "The Book", by Keith Houston

Clip from Stephen Baxter, medieval historian at King's College, London visiting a parchment making shop to see how the parchment for the Domesday Book was made.