THE
SHROUD OF TURIN 2000

Bill Geating

After almost three decades of scientific examination, the Shroud is still the center of controversy. While scientific and media opinion generally dismissed it as the burial cloth of Christ, scientific and historical evidence continues to amass. ABR Board member Bill Geating summarizes the latest data.

The first photos of the Shroud of Turin were taken in 1898 by Secondo Pia. He was the first to realize the image is best seen in reverse, that is, by viewing it in the negative. This photo by Vernon Miller came from the 1978 STURP investigation.

The Shroud of Turin is an ancient, yellowed linen cloth bearing the image of a bearded man covered with blood stains, the location of which correspond to death by crucifixion. Housed in Turin, Italy for over 400 years, many believe it is the image of Jesus.

Measuring 4.35m (14 ft 3 in) long by 1.1m (3 ft 7 in) wide, the Shroud is woven of linen cloth with a herringbone weave from fibers of domesticated flax commonly employed in the time of Christ. The Shroud’s image is the frontal and dorsal view of a Caucasian male, probably in his 30’s, approximately 1.8m (5 ft 11 in) tall and weighing about 77kg (170 lb).