The Shroud of Turin, a 14-foot-long linen cloth revered by many as the burial shroud of Jesus Christ, has sparked centuries of debate and fascination. The cloth, which bears a faint image of a man with wounds consistent with crucifixion, has been at the center of intense religious devotion and scientific scrutiny since it first emerged in the 1350s. Now, new research by Italian scientists suggests that the shroud may indeed be around 2,000 years old, potentially aligning with the time of Christ, and reopening the conversation about its authenticity.
The Shroud of Turin first came to public attention in the mid-14th century when it was presented by French knight Geoffroi de Charny to the dean of the church in Lirey, France. Touted as the Holy Shroud, the cloth was believed to be the very one used to wrap Jesus’ mutilated body after his crucifixion. The image on the shroud, depicting a gaunt man with his arms folded and bearing wounds that correspond with biblical accounts of Christ’s crucifixion, quickly became an object of veneration.
However, skepticism over the shroud’s authenticity has been a persistent theme. In 1988, a team of international researchers conducted a carbon dating analysis on a small piece of the shroud. The results, which dated the cloth to between 1260 and 1390 AD, seemed to confirm that the shroud was a medieval forgery. This conclusion led many to dismiss the shroud as a pious fraud, manufactured centuries after the death of Christ.
Despite the 1988 findings, the Shroud of Turin has continued to be a subject of scientific interest and religious devotion. In recent years, a team of Italian researchers from the Institute of Crystallography of the National Research Council conducted a new study using Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), a technique that measures the natural aging of flax cellulose, the primary material in linen.
The researchers analyzed eight small samples of fabric from the shroud, using X-rays to uncover tiny details in the linen’s structure and cellulose patterns. By studying the breakdown of cellulose over time, the team was able to estimate the age of the shroud. Their findings suggest that the cloth was likely manufactured around the time of Jesus, approximately 2,000 years ago. This conclusion is supported by comparisons with other ancient linens from Israel, such as those found at Masada, which date back to the first century.
The study also addressed potential flaws in the 1988 carbon dating analysis. Lead author Dr. Liberato De Caro pointed out that contamination in the samples used for the carbon dating could have skewed the results. He argued that if the cleaning procedures were not thoroughly performed, the carbon-14 dating could be unreliable. The new research suggests that the shroud’s cellulose breakdown is consistent with linens dating from the first century, rather than the Middle Ages.
The implications of this new research are significant. If the shroud is indeed 2,000 years old, it would lend credence to the belief that it is the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ. The Bible recounts how Joseph of Arimathea wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen shroud before placing it in a tomb. Matthew 27:59-60 states, “Then Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.”
The Shroud of Turin has captivated the imagination of believers and skeptics alike for centuries. Its image, depicting a man with sunken eyes, lacerations on the back, thorn marks on the head, and bruises on the shoulders, aligns closely with the biblical description of Christ’s crucifixion. Historians have noted that the markings correspond to the wounds inflicted during Jesus’ final hours, including the crown of thorns and the scourging by Roman soldiers.
Despite the new findings, the Shroud of Turin remains a deeply polarizing artifact. While some scholars and religious leaders see the latest research as a validation of the shroud’s authenticity, others remain unconvinced. The 1988 carbon dating results are still cited by skeptics who argue that the shroud is a medieval forgery, created during a period when relics of Christ’s passion were in high demand.
Moreover, the scientific community remains divided. Some researchers have raised concerns about the reliability of the WAXS technique and the interpretation of the data. The challenge of accurately dating ancient textiles, particularly those that have been subjected to varying environmental conditions over the centuries, continues to complicate the quest for definitive answers.
The Shroud of Turin is not just a religious relic; it is also a scientific enigma. Over 170 peer-reviewed academic papers have been published on the shroud since the 1980s, each contributing to the ongoing debate over its origins and significance. Testing in the 1970s examined whether the images on the shroud were created through painting, scorching, or other means, but no definitive conclusions were reached. Other studies have analyzed the bloodstains on the shroud, with some researchers identifying substances that suggest the presence of real blood from a torture victim.
The Shroud of Turin is currently housed in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, where it has been preserved since 1578. It is only publicly displayed on special occasions, drawing pilgrims and tourists from around the world. Despite the ongoing controversy, the shroud remains one of the most intensely studied human artifacts in history, symbolizing both the deep mysteries of faith and the relentless pursuit of scientific truth.
As new technologies and methodologies continue to emerge, the Shroud of Turin will likely remain a focal point of research and debate. Whether it is ultimately proven to be the burial cloth of Jesus or a remarkable medieval forgery, its impact on religious and scientific communities is undeniable. The story of the Shroud of Turin is not just about a piece of cloth; it is a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for understanding in the face of mystery.
The Shroud of Turin stands at the intersection of faith, history, and science, challenging our understanding of both the past and the present. The latest research using Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering offers compelling evidence that the shroud may be much older than previously thought, potentially dating back to the time of Jesus. However, the debate over its authenticity is far from settled, with both believers and skeptics continuing to search for answers. As the shroud continues to be studied, it remains a powerful symbol of the enduring mysteries that lie at the heart of human belief and inquiry.
Demands for government intervention in Air Canada labour talks could negatively affect airline competition in Canada, the CEO of travel company Transat AT Inc. said.
“The extension of such an extraordinary intervention to Air Canada would be an undeniable competitive advantage to the detriment of other Canadian airlines,” Annick Guérard told analysts on an earnings conference call on Thursday.
“The time and urgency is now. It is time to restore healthy competition in Canada,” she added.
Air Canada has asked the federal government to be ready to intervene and request arbitration as early as this weekend to avoid disruptions.
Comments on the potential Air Canada pilot strike or lock out came as Transat reported third-quarter financial results.
Guérard recalled Transat’s labour negotiations with its flight attendants earlier this year, which the company said it handled without asking for government intervention.
The airline’s 2,100 flight attendants voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike mandate and twice rejected tentative deals before approving a new collective agreement in late February.
As the collective agreement for Air Transat pilots ends in June next year, Guérard anticipates similar pressure to increase overall wages as seen in Air Canada’s negotiations, but reckons it will come out “as a win, win, win deal.”
“The pilots are preparing on their side, we are preparing on our side and we’re confident that we’re going to come up with a reasonable deal,” she told analysts when asked about the upcoming negotiations.
The parent company of Air Transat reported it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31. The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.
It attributed reduced revenues to lower airline unit revenues, competition, industry-wide overcapacity and economic uncertainty.
Air Transat is also among the airlines facing challenges related to the recall of Pratt & Whitney turbofan jet engines for inspection and repair.
The recall has so far grounded six aircraft, Guérard said on the call.
“We have agreed to financial compensation for grounded aircraft during the 2023-2024 period,” she said. “Alongside this financial compensation, Pratt & Whitney will provide us with two additional spare engines, which we intend to monetize through a sell and lease back transaction.”
Looking ahead, the CEO said she expects consumer demand to remain somewhat uncertain amid high interest rates.
“We are currently seeing ongoing pricing pressure extending into the winter season,” she added. Air Transat is not planning on adding additional aircraft next year but anticipates stability.
“(2025) for us will be much more stable than 2024 in terms of fleet movements and operation, and this will definitely have a positive effect on cost and customer satisfaction as well,” the CEO told analysts.
“We are more and more moving away from all the disruption that we had to go through early in 2024,” she added.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
