A scroll is an ancient format for written or illustrated material, consisting of sheets of substrate rolled into a cylinder. These formats were constructed from durable materials such as papyrus, parchment, or sheets derived from cellulosic compounds. The physical structure required the text to be unrolled linearly for reading, creating a continuous visual record. While the physical material utilized may vary, the format itself represents a foundational method of record keeping that preceded the development of the codex.