A tech expert has revealed that the Turin Shroud was probably created from a bas-relief statue rather than Jesus’ body.
The mysterious garment, which many Christians believe was placed over Christ’s body after crucifixion, continues to spark debate.
In a new study published in the journal Archaeometry, 3D designer Cicero Moraes lends credence to the theory that the Shroud was a work of art rather than a death shroud.
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The Brazilian tech expert used three types of 3D modelling tools to determine that the contours of the impression on the Turin Shroud most probably came from a bas-relief statue.
He used computer modelling to demonstrate that a real-life human body leaves a “significantly distorted image” due to the 3D contours.
He also demonstrated the effect with a colleague using ink and a napkin.
After applying the liquid pigment, the man placed the napkin over his face, and the impression was notably distorted, as reported by Need To Know.
If Moraes’ findings hold up, they will add to the debate surrounding the origins of the Shroud, which is still considered to be authentic by many Catholics and scholars.
Moraes pointed out: “This work not only offers another perspective on the origin of the Shroud of Turin, but also highlights the potential of digital technologies to uncover or unravel historical mysteries, with collaborative and reflective science, art, and technology providing the answers.”
For the past 35 years, researchers have grappled with the Shroud’s age after a 1989 radiocarbon dating test found that small pieces of cloth appeared to come from the 14th century, long after Jesus died.
In 2005, American chemist Raymond Rogers suggested that part of the garment used for the 1989 tests may have been repaired centuries after its creation.
But in 2022, Italian researchers found that a sample of the shroud was structurally compatible with linen from the first century CE, specifically dating it to 55-74 CE.
In 2018, researchers from Italy and the UK proposed that the “crimson” patterns on the Shroud’s face appeared “totally unrealistic” for a man lying face up, suggesting they were added after the cloth was created for dramatic effect.
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