(ZENIT News / Madrid, 08/28/2024).- In a groundbreaking development for the Shroud of Turin, artificial intelligence has revealed a stunning digital reconstruction: a man with wide-open eyes, staring intensely, bearing scars reminiscent of those described in the Passion of Christ. This advanced AI-generated image adds a new layer to the ongoing quest to unlock the secrets of the revered cloth said to have wrapped Jesus’ body after the crucifixion.
Recent technological advances have rekindled interest in the Shroud, which has been a subject of fascination since the 19th century. Originally thought to represent branding, the image of the Shroud is now interpreted as an imprint of a scourged and crucified man, approximately 1.8 metres tall. This figure appears to match the Gospel accounts of Jesus, which show a crown of thorns, scourging wounds and cuts on the shoulders.
Italian scientist Liberato de Caro has used wide-angle X-ray dispersion techniques to closely examine the fabric of the Shroud. This method, which determines the natural aging of the linen’s cellulose, has led De Caro’s team to compare it with a sample from the siege of Masada, dated to between 55 and 74 AD. The results suggest that the Shroud could be around 2,000 years old and come from the Middle East.
De Caro has questioned previous carbon-14 dating results, citing possible contamination and errors in sample cleaning as possible causes of inaccuracies. The discovery of Middle Eastern pollen grains found by his team in the linen cloth further supports the theory of the Shroud’s authenticity and regional origin.
Unlike previous research using 13th and 14th century fabrics, De Caro’s X-ray technique does not damage the Shroud, so these new findings can be independently verified. Modern technology continues to open doors to deeper understanding, as debate over the true history of the Shroud remains lively in both scientific and religious communities.
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