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Secondary sourceArtifactdocumented from 1354; radiocarbon dated 1260-1390

Shroud of Turin

documented from 1354; radiocarbon dated 1260-1390

A linen cloth bearing the image of a crucified man, venerated as Jesus's burial shroud though radiocarbon dating places its origin in the medieval period.

A relic traditionally venerated as bearing the image of Jesus's crucified body, though dated by science to the medieval period.

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Full-length photographic negative-style image of the Shroud of Turin: a long linen cloth in sepia tones bearing faint double images of a front and back human figure, with burn holes and water stain marks visible.
Shroud of Turin, documented from 1354 (photographic negative view). Turin Cathedral.

About this source

What it is

The Shroud of Turin is a long linen cloth bearing a faint image of the front and back of a man, with marks corresponding to crucifixion wounds. It has been venerated for centuries, especially by Catholics, as the burial shroud of Jesus. Its documented history begins in 1354 in France; it later passed to the House of Savoy and is now kept at Turin Cathedral, owned by the Catholic Church.

Why it matters

In 1988, radiocarbon dating by three independent laboratories dated the cloth to the Middle Ages, between 1260 and 1390, centuries after Jesus's lifetime. This finding is accepted by most experts, though debate about the image's origin continues. The shroud is an important case study in how relics, faith and scientific investigation can come into conflict, and how an object's meaning for believers can differ from what science reveals about it.

Look closer

  • Why do you think the image is easier to see as a photographic negative than in person?
  • How does scientific dating evidence change or not change what the shroud means to believers?
  • What questions would you want answered before deciding whether an object like this is authentic?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jesus Christ on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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