What the Shroud Is
Ancient linen with superficial image (top fibrils), no pigment detected (STURP, 1978). Resource: shroud.com.
Radiocarbon Dating (1988)
Oxford/Zurich/Tucson labs: 1260–1390 CE; sampling representativeness debated. Link: Nature report summary.
Alternative Dating (WAXS)
WAXS microstructure proxies suggest greater antiquity; method still under calibration. Link: overview.
UV / Laser Radiation
ENEA excimer lasers produce Shroud-like superficial effects; full-scale energy estimates ~34 trillion watts (press summaries). Link: summary.
Pollen & Flora
Levantine pollen and floral pattern claims (Frei; Danin) with chain-of-custody debates. Link: Danin PDF.
Bloodstains & Wounds
Hemoglobin, serum separation, elevated bilirubin; consistent with John 19:34. Link: Jerusalem Post (AI 3D).
3D Reconstructions
Kid-friendly (no wounds): placeholder. With wounds: VP‑8 + holography (Soons). Link: Soons hologram.
Authoritative Images
- ShroudScope (interactive)
- Vernon Miller 1978
Controversies
Dating vs sampling; pollen custody; image formation hypotheses (heat, radiation, Maillard, etc.).
Curated Videos
- BBC Horizon – The Shroud of Turin (search)
- National Geographic – Quest for the True Cross
- Petrus Soons hologram – YouTube
Summary of Current Conclusions
Forensic features and 3D encoding are strong; dating remains debated; radiation hypotheses are intriguing but unresolved.
Blended Results
Echoes Part I’s archaeological corroborations (Pilate Stone, Caiaphas Ossuary, Dead Sea Scrolls): science shows how, faith invites why.
Discussion
Apostles’ transformation after Resurrection appearances (1 Corinthians 15:6); moral implications; Jesus as the model for humanity. Invitation: easternapologetics.com.
Unified Timeline
- 33 CE – Crucifixion; darkness & quake (Matthew 27:45, 51)
- 47–50 CE – Claudius famine (Acts 11:28; Josephus)
- 1947 – Dead Sea Scrolls
- 1961 – Pilate Stone
- 1978 – STURP (no pigments)
- 1988 – Radiocarbon 1260–1390 CE (sampling contested)
- 1990 – Caiaphas Ossuary
- 2000s – WAXS; ENEA UV
- 2010s–2020s – AI 3D
Bibliography (Selected)
- Damon et al. 1989 – Nature summary
- Casabianca et al. 2019 – statist. reanalysis
- De Caro et al. 2022 – WAXS
- Di Lazzaro (ENEA UV), Adler (blood), Danin (flora)
- ShroudScope; Miller/Durante images; Jerusalem Post AI 2024