New evidence shows medieval technology couldn’t have forged the relic
By Brent Mattson
Recent research by Italian scientists has found that the Shroud of Turin could not have been a medieval forgery as many detractors have claimed.
Through a series of experiments, the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Development (ENEA) concluded that the shroud’s markings could not have been made with Middle Ages technology.
Many believe that Jesus Christ was wrapped in the Shroud of Turin after his crucifixion and that it miraculously bears His image. Others argue that it is a clever forgery made in the Middle Ages. The Vatican however has never officially stated its view on the authenticity of the much-debated relic.
The ENEA tried to identify physical and chemical processes capable of recreating the colour of the shroud’s image. The research revealed that the shade, texture, and depth of the imprints on the cloth could be produced only with the aid of ultraviolet lasers producing extremely brief pulses of light.
“The results show a short and intense burst of UV directional radiation can colour a linen cloth so as to reproduce many of the peculiar characteristics of the body image on the Shroud of Turin,” the researchers said.
Therefore, they say the image of a crucified man must have been created by “some form of electromagnetic energy,” such as a flash of light at short wavelength.
Lead researcher Paolo Di Lazzaro says they are not offering any non-scientific explanations.
“When one talks about a flash of light being able to colour a piece of linen, discussion inevitably touches on things such as miracles,” he said. “But as scientists, we were concerned only with verifiable scientific processes. We hope our results can open up a philosophical and theological debate.”
Previous tests using radiocarbon dating suggested that the shroud is dated between 1260 and 1390. However, these have been disputed with claims the shroud was contaminated over the ages from patches, water damage, and fire. In 1999, Israeli scientists said that pollen on the Shroud is evidence it came from the Holy Land.
