Scroll Scroll is a roll of paper, parchment, or other material, especially with writing or pictures on it.
Most scrolls are wound around rods of bronze, ivory, or wood.
Sometimes the rods are decorated at both ends with small knobs or other ornaments. The knobs protect the scrolls and make them easier to handle. A scroll is often fastened at both ends so it can be unwound from one rod and rolled up onto the other as it is used. The Egyptians began using scrolls of papyrus during the 2000's B.C. Beginning in the 1000's B.C., the Hebrews used treated animal skins for their sacred writings because these outlasted papyrus. Later, the Greeks and Romans popularized a way of preparing skins to make a durable writing surface called parchment.