TLDR:
- New X-ray analysis dates Shroud of Turin to around 2,000 years ago
- AI used to generate images of Jesus based on Shroud impressions
- Dr. Liberato de Caro led study challenging previous carbon dating results
- Pollen particles from Middle East found in Shroud fibers
- Catholic Church has no official position on Shroud’s authenticity
Recent scientific analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) reconstructions have reignited discussions about the age and origins of the Shroud of Turin, a cloth some believe to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Liberato de Caro from Italy’s Institute of Crystallography led a team that used a new method called Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering to examine the Shroud.
Their findings, published in the Heritage journal, suggest the linen cloth dates back approximately 2,000 years. This timeframe aligns with the period when Jesus is believed to have lived.
The study challenges previous carbon dating results from the 1980s that placed the Shroud’s origin in the 14th century. Dr. de Caro argues that earlier dating methods may have been compromised by contamination from mold, bacteria, and environmental factors
. He notes that at a microscopic level, about 50% of the fabric’s volume consists of empty spaces between fibers, which can trap contaminants and potentially skew dating results.
Supporting the case for the Shroud’s older origins, researchers found tiny pollen particles from the Middle East lodged in the linen fibers. This discovery seems to contradict the idea that the Shroud was fabricated in Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Shroud of Turin, a 14-foot linen cloth stored at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, bears a faint image of a man with wounds consistent with crucifixion. For centuries, it has been a subject of intense debate and reverence.
With the new dating results, several media outlets have used AI to generate images based on the facial impressions visible on the Shroud.
These AI-created depictions generally show a man with long hair and a beard, similar to classical artistic representations of Jesus. Some versions include details like wounds and signs of fatigue, aligning with accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion.
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. It’s amazing how well the true face of Jesus has been handed on down through the centuries—a… pic.twitter.com/EfVDtGJMBm
— Fr Grant Ciccone (@UrbanHermit15) August 22, 2024
The Daily Express used the AI tool Midjourney to create images, while other outlets employed different AI programs like Gencraft. These reconstructions have sparked public interest, offering a speculative glimpse of what Jesus might have looked like based on the Shroud’s imprints.
The Catholic Church maintains a neutral stance on the Shroud’s authenticity. While several popes, including John Paul II and Francis, have venerated it as a meaningful relic, the Church has not officially declared it to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus.
Dr. de Caro suggests that because the X-ray scattering technique is non-destructive, other laboratories worldwide could test the same sample to verify his team’s findings. This approach could provide more comprehensive data about the Shroud’s age and composition.
The Shroud’s documented history begins in the mid-1300s, though some argue a similar relic mentioned in earlier accounts may be the same object. The cloth shows a ghostly image of a man approximately six feet tall, bearing marks consistent with whipping and crucifixion.
Skeptics have long argued that the Shroud is a medieval forgery, possibly created by an skilled artist using techniques not fully understood today.
Various attempts to recreate the image over the years have yielded mixed results, adding to the mystery surrounding its creation.
