Burial of Jesus by Giovanni Battista della Rovere (1560-1627) © Wikimedia Commons
The Shroud of Turin stands as one of the most intriguing artifacts in the pursuit of religious historical truth, rivalling even the quest for the Holy Grail. For generations, both

believers and scientists have sought to unlock the mystery of this burial cloth, believed to have wrapped the body of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion, bearing what some claim is a miraculous imprint of his face.
Recent reports by the British daily, The Independent, reveal that a team of scientists has employed X-ray technology to analyse the Shroud in detail, dating it back to the time of Jesus—over 2,000 years ago.
This research team is led by Professor Liberto De Caro at a laboratory in Bari, Italy. Their findings, published in the scientific journal Heritage, propose that the Shroud is indeed a genuine relic from the first century, challenging earlier analyses that may have been flawed by contamination.
The latest study focused on a sample approximately 1millimetre in size. In contrast, previous radiocarbon dating conducted by three laboratories in Oxford, Zurich, and Tucson had placed the Shroud’s origin between AD 1260 and 1390.
The cellulose present in the Shroud’s fibres suggests that the cloth has aged slowly since the 14th century, likely due to the cooler ambient temperatures in Europe compared to the Middle East. It is estimated that around 90% of the natural ageing of the fabric occurred before the 1300s, assuming it was kept at a stable temperature of approximately 22°C with 55% humidity for 13 centuries.
| A VENERATED RELIC OF CHRISTIANITY
The Shroud of Turin, measuring 4.3 by 1.1 metres, is one of the most renowned relics in Christianity. It is currently housed in the Royal Chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin. Its history can be traced back to the 14th century.
It came into the possession of French knight Geoffroi de Charny, who presented it to the Church in Lirey after surviving the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. From 1357 to 1418, the Shroud was kept in Lirey before being moved to Monfort Castle in Burgundy.

Initially, Pope Clement VII did not recognise the Shroud’s authenticity. Nevertheless, it was acquired by the House of Savoy in 1453, and after surviving a fire in Chambéry, it was eventually transferred to Turin in 1578.
However, several other shrouds also assert their status as holy relics, although none of them attains the same degree of media and scientific interest as the Shroud of Turin.

- The Sudarium of Oviedo: Preserved in the Oviedo Cathedral in Spain, this cloth is said to have covered Jesus’s face after the crucifixion. Unlike the Turin Shroud, it bears no human image, only bloodstains consistent with injuries due to crucifixion.
- The Shroud of Besançon: It has been kept in the Saint-Jean Cathedral in Besançon, France for centuries, but this shroud was later identified as a 14th-century forgery.
- The Shroud of Carcassonne: Housed in the Augustin Chapel in Carcassonne, France, this lesser-known relic is the only one made of silk, but holds little historical or scientific significance compared to the Turin Shroud.
- The Shroud of Chambéry: Once housed in the chapel of Chambéry Castle in France, this shroud shares a complex history with the famous Shroud of Turin, often leading to confusion between the two.
- The Shroud of Alexander Nevsky: This is is believed to be the burial shroud of the Russian prince in the 13th century, and is currently housed in the Saint Alexander Nevsky Monastery in St. Petersburg. However, his relic lacks the fame and veneration of the Turin Shroud.
THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST’S IMAGE
The Shroud shows the haunting image of a crucified man, complete with nail marks in the wrists—contrary to the common but inaccurate portrayal of nails through the hands. He is depicted wearing a crown of thorns, which resembles a cap-like structure.

Early scientific studies, including radiocarbon dating conducted in 1988, suggested that the Shroud dates back to between AD 1260 and 1390. Researchers have also analysed traces of pollen and employed 3D imaging techniques to gather more insights.
From a theological perspective, many Christians believe that the image was miraculously imprinted during Christ’s Resurrection. However, some sceptics affirm it could have been painted in the Middle Ages. A scientific hypothesis even suggests that the image may have resulted from natural chemical reactions on the linen or an interaction with an unknown type of radiation.
Be that as it may, the Shroud evokes deep reverence among Christians, particularly Catholics, and plays a vital role in liturgical events. In contrast, the apostolic Church approaches the Shroud with more caution, viewing it as an enigma steeped in divine mystery.
This debate brings to mind the story of Salvator Mundi, the painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, which was sold to a Gulf magnate for 400 million euros amid questions about its authenticity.

Public exhibitions of the Shroud are infrequent, with the last one taking place in 2015. Yet, its mystery continues to enchant both the public and researchers, as there is still no scientific explanation for how the image of the face appeared on the linen. While there is no conclusive evidence of forgery, the truth surrounding the Shroud remains elusive.
| THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
The Shroud reveals the grim reality of 120 whip lashes, probably delivered with a Roman whip that had metal spikes on the tips. It is estimated that Jesus lost about a litre of blood from the flogging and carried the patibulum—the horizontal beam of the cross—for roughly 100 metres, rather than the entire route of the Way of the Cross as often depicted in Jerusalem today.

The “crown of thorns,” made from acacia-like thorns measuring 3 to 4 centimetres long, caused agonising wounds on his scalp, leaving his blood-soaked hair covering his ears in the image on the Shroud.
Crucifixion resulted in death through respiratory acidosis, a painful condition caused by the buildup of carbon dioxide that rigidifies the muscles in spasms. The account of water and blood flowing from Jesus’s side after a spear was thrust, as ordered by Pontius Pilate, aligns with modern medical insights regarding plasma and cardiac rupture.
Ultimately, the Shroud reveals the intense physical suffering endured by the man it depicts, yet the process behind the creation of the image remains an enduring mystery. Whether one views it as a sacred relic or merely a medieval artefact often comes down to personal belief.
While the authenticity of the Shroud cannot be conclusively established, it also cannot be entirely dismissed as a forgery. Modern science has yet to replicate the image, emphasising the profound suffering of the man whose likeness is captured in the fabric.