the authenticity of the Turin Shroud It is one of the most controversial scientific debates in history. Since its discovery, most of its criticisms have been based on the fact that the image imprinted on the shroud is too perfect and flat to have been left by wrapping a person. It is more like photo. Added to this was an investigation into the age of the fabric in 1989, which concluded that it was woven in 14th centurylong after the death of Jesus Christ. However, another study has now been published that contradicts this hypothesis. The debate is back in the spotlight.
Added to this is the fact that another study of the blood residue on the holy leaf has recently been published, which also gives wings to the idea of its veracity. 100% reliable evidence still does not exist, and ill-wishers continue to disagree with this. But it is obvious that the dilemma has been resolved.
Let’s look at what these new studies say and where the balance shifts when they are added to the rest of the research. Current research.
Could the Shroud be a medieval hoax?
The sacred leaf is made of woolplant fiber Linum usitatissimum. Therefore, its age can be analyzed using radiocarbon method.
This tool is based on the fact that all living things, including the flax plant, have the same share two isotopes of carboncarbon-12, which is its stable form, and carbon-14, which is radioactive. When the living thing in question dies, such as when a plant is harvested for its fibres, carbon-14 begins to decay. So by comparing its amount with carbon-12, which remains stable, we can calculate the age of certain remains. Carbon-14 is slightly heavier, so they are easy to tell apart.
Thanks to this technique, it was discovered in 1989 that flax may It was woven in the 14th century.. That is, shortly before the discovery of the shroud in France. But the study, which began in 2022 and has now come to light again, contradicts this hypothesis.
What if it’s an infection?
A study was conducted on this matter Institute of Crystallography of Italyusing a technique known as wide-angle x-ray scatteringor WAX. This method, like other X-ray scattering methods, is based on the fact that the electrons present in the material scatter the X-rays that fall on them. From the measured interference pattern of all the scattered waves, a lot of information about the material can be obtained. This information does not include its age. But you can take a similar fabric and compare it, since wear over the years will change the results in a similar way.
These scientists took a sample of linen that radiocarbon dated to be about 2,000 years old. The pattern measured was very similar to the holy leaf pattern. Therefore, it is concluded that perhaps the 1989 study infection by others tissues, which led to confusing results.
Blood, stones and whips
In July of this year, a professor at the University of Padua Giulio Fanti published a study that analyzed the blood found on the holy leaf. Previous studies had concluded that the spots were not consistent the wounds received by Christaccording to the Holy Scriptures. However, Fanti’s conclusions are quite different. According to him, some of the spots do correspond to the location of the wound on the side, given the fluid leaking from it. In addition, there are traces of another substance that could be pulmonary fluid.
On the other hand, a geologist Amir Sandlerof the Jerusalem Geological Survey, had previously conducted his own analysis of the shroud. In it he found remains illite and smectitetwo rocks typical of the soil of Jerusalem. This would mean that the shroud was actually in a tomb in that city. If this were the case, the medieval French theory of forgeries would become meaningless.
Who is the holy leaf man?
All this came to light again after laboratory scientists artificial intelligence Midjourney uses their algorithms to derive an image of Jesus Christ from the marks on the shroud. In it, you see an image very similar to the one we have always had of the Messiah. A young, thin man with long hair and a beard, exhausted from the torture he has just endured.
Does this mean that we are in front of the image of Jesus Christ himself? We do not know; because, despite everything, there is still light and shadow in the story of the holy sheet. And the only thing we know is that it is a sheet stained with blood, 2000 yearswho was in Jerusalem. And all this, if the mentioned studies are correct. The Romans executed many other people in Jerusalem. Even if all this were true, no one could be sure that it was the shroud that wrapped Christ. Moreover, no one could explain how such a clear 2D image was obtained. Until these questions are answered, the idea that the shroud is what it claims to be cannot be fully accepted.
Source: Hiper Textual
