Scriptorium is a Latin word that means "place for writing." It was a place where books were copied and illuminated (painted). A scribe wrote the text for a book, and an artist, called an illuminator, painted the pictures and decoration. Scribes and illuminators made each book by hand.

Why is the scriptorium so important?

scriptorium, writing room set aside in monastic communities for the use of scribes engaged in copying manuscripts. Scriptoria were an important feature of the Middle Ages, most characteristically of Benedictine establishments because of St. Benedict's support of literary activities.

What materials are used in a scriptorium?

Books were written on parchment made from the skin of sheep or goats. The animal skins were stretched and scraped so that they were smooth enough to write on. Precious materials, such as gold leaf and ground gemstones, were used to decorate the pages of manuscripts. The picture and the words tell the story.