My research topic is parchment production in medieval Scandinavia and its relationship to animal husbandry strategies and the increasing literacy in society.

Parchment was an immensely important product in the Middle Ages; crucial for both book production and administration. Despite this, we know very little about parchment production and how it relates to the rise in literacy among the population as well as to the introduction of paper in the late Middle Ages. As parchment is made from the skins of young calves and of sheep and goats of all ages, parchment production is closely connected to animal husbandry strategies.

My research includes species identification of parchment through biochemical analyses and comparing the results with zooarchaeological data, to see whether there are any regional or temporal differences.