14 DAY TRIAL // The Shroud of Turin is one of the most important artifacts for Christians, as it is believed to be the burial cloth with which Jesus Christ was entombed after being taken down from the cross. It was discovered before the 13th century, although no one can say for sure exactly when. References to it can be interpreted in many ways, especially considering that other shrouds like it exist at other locations. Over the years, many have tried to prove either its authenticity, or its forgery, and a heated debate is still going on over the results. Recently, an Italian scientist made an exact copy of the Shroud.
“We have shown that [it] is possible to reproduce something which has the same characteristics as the Shroud,” University of Pavia Professor of Organic Chemistry Luigi Garlaschelli, who will further present his discovery at a conference this weekend, in Northern Italy, says. Originally, three independent laboratories, in Oxford, Zurich and Tucson, Arizona, confirmed that the original shroud had been created between 1260 and 1390. The studies, conducted in 1988, caused quite a sensation and sparked numerous debates. People of “faith” did not trust the measurements.
Garlaschelli is expecting to meet fierce resistance from the same people as he presents his finds. “If they don't want to believe carbon dating done by some of the world's best laboratories they certainly won't believe me,” he tells Reuters. The expert created his shroud by placing a linen cloth on a volunteer, and then applying pigment containing traces of acid. The pigment was then heated in an oven, and washed, to simulate the passing of time. What was left behind was a half-tone trace of the original color, exactly the same as the one on the Shroud.
Then, burn holes, blood stains and scorches were added, to obtain the final effect. The new and the old shrouds look exactly the same, save for the face, which is, naturally, different. This seems to tip the balance in the favor of those who argue that the cloth is a medieval forgery, meant to keep people believing in Christ. Garlaschelli says that the funds for the research were provided by an Italian association of atheists and agnostics, but he adds that this has had no bearing on the final results.
“Money has no odor. This was done scientifically. If the Church wants to fund me in the future, here I am,” he concludes.