Turin Shroud study suggests 2,000-year-old origin
X-ray analysis hints shroud may be Jesus Christ's burial cloth
Artifacts linked to Jesus Christ’s life and death, given their age of over 2,000 years, remain rare and captivating. Because Jesus lived so long ago, the finer details of his demise are frequently debated by both believers and sceptics.
One hotly contested issue is whether the Turin Shroud, displayed at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, was indeed Jesus Christ’s burial cloth. Discovered in the late 14th century, the shroud has faced scrutiny since its initial finding, with many dismissing the idea that Jesus Christ wore it as implausible.
Until recently, many believed the cloth originated in the Middle Ages, with past studies dating its creation between 1260 and 1390 AD. However, a new study suggests otherwise.
Is this the image of Jesus of Nazareth?
New X-ray analysis just revealed the Shroud of Turin, Christ's alleged burial cloth, to be 2,000 years old.
So here's what we know — and why it might just be real… (thread) 🧵 pic.twitter.com/MGgG2pDGIK
— Culture Critic (@Culture_Crit) August 21, 2024
Published in the journal Heritage, the study posits that the Turin Shroud’s history aligns more closely with the theory that it dates back two millennia, possibly making it Jesus Christ’s burial cloth. Using X-ray technology, the study discovered that most of the cloth’s aging occurred before the church found it in 1390 AD, implying it existed much earlier than previously thought.
The study suggests a 2,000-year timeline is more accurate, giving scientific backing to those who believe the shroud covered Jesus Christ. Despite this, the study acknowledges it can’t definitively confirm this timeline due to several uncertainties.
One major uncertainty is what happened to the cloth in the centuries before its 1390 AD discovery. Specifically, whether it was kept at around 22°C and 55% humidity for the 1,300 years prior to its discovery is crucial for the study’s conclusions.
Amazing AI-generated image of Jesus Christ based on the (authentic) Shroud of Turin.
It’s a good reminder of the fact that God became a particular man at a particular moment in history. This is no myth.
We worship the God who became one of us! pic.twitter.com/hb0AjKgpix
— Eric Sammons (@EricRSammons) August 21, 2024
Researchers would need a larger cloth sample than the 0.5 mm × 1 mm used in this study to verify these conditions. The study concludes that a more systematic X-ray investigation with larger samples from the shroud fabric is necessary to confirm their findings.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Fox News reports on the latest finding by Italian scientists regarding the age of the Turin Shroud, using WAXS to suggest a 2000-year-old relic, contradicting 1988 carbon dating results, which indicated a medieval origin.(read more)
- The Tablet reports on a study contending that the Shroud of Turin dates back to the time of Jesus, contradicting previous radiocarbon dating. The new X-ray technique suggests the Shroud’s age aligns with the period of Jesus’ life.(read more)
- Newsweek reports that Italian scientists claim the Turin Shroud dates back approximately 2,000 years, aligning with the period of Jesus’ life, challenging previous medieval origin findings.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the Turin Shroud?
The Turin Shroud is a cloth believed by some to be Jesus Christ’s burial cloth.
Where is the Turin Shroud displayed?
The Turin Shroud is displayed at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy.
When was the Turin Shroud first discovered?
The Turin Shroud was first discovered in the late 14th century.
What recent study suggests about the Turin Shroud’s age?
A recent study suggests that this is around 2,000 years old.
What technology was used in the recent study on the Turin Shroud?
The recent study used X-ray technology to analyze this.
