First Exhibition: The Shroud of Turin was publicly presented in Lirey, France, for the first time in 1355.

Current Residence: It was kept in the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista in Turin, Italy, since 1578.

Scientific Investigations: 

The 1988 Carbon Dating: An international team of researchers carried out an analysis for carbon dating on a small piece of shroud and concluded that the fabric was made between 1260 and 1390 A.D., and many, therefore, started believing it was a medieval forgery. 

Latest Studies: Italian scientists advanced techniques such as Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) to place the shroud’s material at around 2,000 years old, which aligns with the era of Jesus Christ.

Ongoing Debate: 

Proponents: Some experts refer to the bloodstains consistent with the crucifixion wounds in the shroud and the image-like resemblance of the white linen to traditional portrayals of Jesus as being in favour of the genuine character of the shroud. 

Sceptics: On the other hand, the next group argues against the †estimate results of 1988 carbon dating and contends that the shroud is possibly the result of an act of medieval forgery. 

Conclusion: 

The debate over the authenticity of the Turin Shroud continues, with new findings and technologies adding layers to the discussion. While some evidence supports its authenticity,
there is still no definitive proof.

How the Latest Tests on the Shroud and Findings Were Done: 

Recent studies again opened the discussion of the authenticity of the Holy Shroud of Turin.

These are some of the latest findings: 

Italian researchers at the Institute of Crystallography of the National Research Council used the wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) technique to assess the natural ageing of flax cellulose from the shroud. The results indicate that that shroud material was placed around 2,000 years ago, corresponding with the era of Jesus. 

X-ray Dating Method: Liberato De Caro and his team used an X-ray method to study the fibres of the shroud. Based on their observations, they concluded that the shroud is much older than that proposed by carbon dating, dating it to the time of the death of Christ and His resurrection. 

Heritage Journal Study:A study, published in The journal Heritage, examined linen threads from the shroud using X-rays. The results suggest that the shroud originated 2,000 years ago but stopped short of declaring it Jesus’ burial cloth. 

The new studies undermine the former carbon-dating results of 1988 that put the shroud’s origin between the years of 1260 and 1390 A.D. The growing evidence thereby suggests that the shroud may be much older and likely to be authentic.

Critch & TC

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash

Sources:

New Findings Reinforce the Authenticity Debate of the Turin Shroud

Is The Shroud Of Turin Real? Here’s What We Know

New Scientific Technique Dates Shroud of Turin to Around the Time of Christ’s Death and Resurrection – EWTN Global Catholic Television Network

Turin Shroud may ACTUALLY be Jesus’s burial cloth, new study suggests | The Independent