Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth believed by some to have covered the body of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion.
Pope Benedict announced on Monday, June 2, 2008, that he will put the Shroud of Turin on public display in 2010.
Fast Facts
- Measures 14.4 x 3.6 feet
- Made of herringbone twill composed of flax fibrils
- First photo of Shroud taken in 1898 by photographer Secondo Pia
- Known history of the Shroud dates to 1357
- Shroud housed in Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, Italy
Question of Authenticity
The cloth bears the image of a bearded man, which is most easily seen in a black and white photographic negative.
While a venerated object to some Christians, the authenticity of the shroud is still debated in scientific circles.
In 1988, the shroud was declared a Medieval era hoax following a series of radiocarbon dating tests. The radiocarbon tests have also been called into question.
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