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SHROUD 101
WHAT IS THE SHROUD OF TURIN?
The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth that shows the full body image of a naked man, front and back. Many people believe this cloth wrapped the dead body of Jesus of Nazareth.
WHAT DOES THE SHROUD OF TURIN LOOK LIKE?
The image below shows you a photographic negative of the Shroud. The faint, head-to-head, full-body image appears more distinct when viewed this way. You can also see the marks of fire, water, and blood.
Use the interactive tool below to explore the marks on the Shroud.
- Water stains
- Water stains
- Water stains
- Burn holes from 1532 fire
- Burn holes from 1532 fire
- Burn holes from 1532 fire
- Burn holes from 1532 fire
- Samples taken fromcorner (1973 & 1988)
- Punctures fromcrown of thorns
- Blood on forehead
- Face and hair
- Side wound
- Blood on arms
- Nail wound in wrist
- Hands (nothumbs showing)
- Blood from woundin right foot
- Scorch marks along folds from fire
- Scorch marks along folds from fire
- L-shaped burn holes
- L-shaped burn holes
- Missing strip of cloth
- Punctures fromcrown of thorns
- Abrasions on shoulders
- Abrasions on shoulders
- Scourge marks (fromneck to ankles)
- Scourge marks (fromneck to ankles)
- Scourge marks (fromneck to ankles)
- Blood from side wound
- Right leg
- Left heel
- Right foot
IS THE SHROUD OF TURIN REAL OR FAKE?
HOW OLD IS THE SHROUD OF TURIN?
We don’t know for sure. In 1988, radiocarbon dating suggested the Shroud of Turin was from the Middle Ages (1260–1390 AD). However, later analysis showed the sample used for testing does not represent the whole cloth. Newer tests suggest the Shroud is almost 2,000 years old. Scientists are calling for more thorough testing with better methods.
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WHEN WAS THE SHROUD OF TURIN FOUND?
The earliest written record of the Shroud is from the 1350s. A French knight named Geoffroi de Charny displayed the Shroud in Lirey, France. In 1450, one of De Charny’s descendants gave the Shroud to the Savoy family, who later moved it to their capital, Turin. It has remained there since 1578.
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HOW WAS THE SHROUD OF TURIN MADE?
The Shroud is made of linen, woven in a diagonal zigzag pattern found in ancient cloths from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Roman Empire.
The image on the cloth is a mystery. In 1978, scientists concluded the image was not made by an artist. There are no pigments, paints, or brushstrokes on the cloth. Some scientists think the image was created by a sudden, powerful burst of energy from the body. This would explain its unique features, like its photo-negative effect and 3D appearance. Many of the faithful believe the image was made by the Resurrection of Jesus.
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CAN THE SHROUD OF TURIN BE DUPLICATED?
No. (At least not yet.) Despite numerous attempts, no one has ever perfectly duplicated all the unique characteristics of the Shroud. You would have to create a detailed, anatomically perfect three-dimensional image that looks like a photographic negative, and do it without painting, drawing, rubbing, or photography. You would also have to make the coloration of the fibers less than half the width of a human hair.
DOES THE SHROUD OF TURIN HAVE DNA?
Yes. DNA has been extracted from the bloodstains on the Shroud. However, the samples are old and contaminated because of people handling the Shroud over the centuries. Therefore, it’s impossible right now to create a DNA profile of the man in the image.
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WHO OWNS THE SHROUD?
The pope. The Shroud is kept in Turin, Italy under the protection of the archbishop.
HOW TO SEE THE SHROUD OF TURIN
The Shroud is rarely put on public display. To see the Shroud in person, you would need to visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy during a public viewing. You can see a full-size replica of the Shroud of Turin at many worldwide exhibits.
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